MNREGA “Zindagi Ke Saath Bhi, Zindagi Ke Baad Bhi”

Bhopal: While on the one hand, MNREGA is providing people with employment opportunities, means of livelihood and fulfilling basic needs, on the other hand it is providing better arrangements for performing last rites thus proving the saying “Zindagi ke Saath bhi, Zindagi ke Baad Bhi”.

MNREGA’s Shantidham Project has provided solution to a large extent to the difficulties faced by villagers in performing last rites, particularly in the rainy season in the absence of proper arrangements for the ritual in rural areas. Under the MNREGA Shantidham project, sheds along with platforms for cremation of dead bodies are being constructed. Also, security arrangements are being made around Shantidham. This has provided employment to the villagers besides providing arrangement for last rites.

While over 10,000 Shantidhams/Cemetries have so far been constructed under MNREGA’s Shantidham project in Madhya Pradesh, more than 21,000 approved works are under construction. Construction of Shantidham/Cemetries in every village is government’s priority.  The state government has issued fresh instructions in this regard. Now at least one shantidham/cemetry will be constructed in proportion to the population in every village. As per 2011 Census, shantidhams of one platform will be constructed in villages with population under 2000 and in villages with over 2000 populace, shantidhams of two platforms will be constructed. The construction cost has been fixed at Rs one lakh 80 thousand for single platform-shantidham and Rs 2 lakh 45 thousand for two platform -Shantidham.

The cost of constructing water tank with handpump would be Rs one lakh. This arrangement will be made with MP, MLA fund, Basic grants payable to District and Janpad Panchayat, income from Panchayat Tax and Cess besides public support.

Under the Shantidham Project, the arrangements for platform for the last rites, shed for shade up to the spot where the last rites take place, water and security are being made.-WTN