Staff Absence Disrupts Cremation Services at Khaswadi

On Thursday, grieving families faced significant distress at the Khaswadi crematorium in Vadodara when staff were absent during two scheduled cremations. This incident highlights ongoing operational issues that have emerged since the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) transferred management of its crematoriums to private contractors.

Management Transition and Ongoing Issues

In a move to streamline operations, the VMC handed over all 31 crematoriums in the city to contractors last month. However, this transition has been fraught with complications. Criticism has mounted over the VMC’s decision to shift control from trusts that previously managed some facilities without charge, leading to public outcry and demands for the trusts to be reinstated.

Activist Atul Gamechi reported that the absence of workers at Khaswadi forced individuals accompanying the deceased to arrange the pyres independently. “People accompanying two bodies had to arrange the pyres themselves with no workers available,” he stated. Gamechi learned about the situation from a mourner who was present at the crematorium. According to him, workers returned about an hour later, explaining they had gone for tea and snacks due to a nearby handcart being closed.

Impact on Operations and Future Plans

The VMC acknowledged the disruption lasted roughly one hour. The absence of staff is further compounded by an ongoing wage dispute between the workers and the contractor. Gamechi emphasized that workers should not leave the crematorium unattended, particularly during such sensitive times.

In response to the criticism, the VMC and the local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have initiated discussions with the affected trusts, indicating a willingness to return to previous operational arrangements, contingent upon a formal memorandum of understanding.

As the VMC seeks to resolve these issues, the recent events at Khaswadi serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in the transition to private management. The impact on grieving families underscores the need for immediate attention to operational stability in these critical services.