G.O.(Ms) No.17, Construction of Cremation Sheds in Adi Dravidar Habitations, 2021
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department issued G.O.(Ms) No.17 on 2 February 2021, granting administrative sanction for constructing 500 cremation sheds in Adi Dravidar habitations under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during 2020-21. The approved total cost is Rs.97.15 crore, with financial sanction conditional on receipt of the Central Government share. The document governs selection, construction and funding procedures, and does not change land ownership records.
What the government approved
G.O.(Ms) No.17 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department approves 500 cremation sheds in Adi Dravidar habitations under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during 2020-21. The administrative sanction is for Rs.97.15 crore, based on a unit cost of Rs.19.43 lakh.
The financial sanction can be issued only after the Central Government share is received. The document states that labour cost is fully borne by the Government of India, while material cost is shared by the Government of India and the State Government.
Who and which places are affected
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department directs District Rural Development Agencies and village panchayats to identify and execute community cremation shed works in Scheduled Caste and Adi Dravidar habitations.
Selection requirements include:
- The Project Director of the District Rural Development Agency must use the THAI survey report and identify needs through the Block Development Officer concerned.
- Habitations and sites must generally be prioritised in descending order of Scheduled Caste population.
- Villages identified as atrocity prone by the Additional Director General of Police, Social Justice and Human Rights must be covered regardless of population.
- The Project Director and Executive Engineer must inspect sites selected for cremation sheds.
- A Gram Sabha resolution is required for every selected work, with work details entered in the relevant village panchayat register.
Construction and site requirements
G.O.(Ms) No.17 requires new cremation shed projects to include:
- A waiting shed, compound wall, paver blocks and plantation within the premises.
- Lighting and water supply through the specified grant or convergence arrangement.
- Walking and outer platforms around the shed.
- Sloped reinforced cement concrete roofing with two chimneys.
- A compulsory waiting shed measuring 6 metres by 4 metres with sloped reinforced cement concrete roofing.
Light roofing materials are not allowed. Standalone proposals for only a compound wall or paver blocks within cremation shed premises are also not permitted.
Administration and monitoring
G.O.(Ms) No.17 requires estimates and sanctions to be processed through SECURE software. A Citizen Information Board must be placed at each work site, assets must be geo tagged before, during and after construction, and a Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme work file must be maintained for every work.
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Common questions
Does G.O.(Ms) No.17 change the ownership or classification of my land?
No change to land ownership or land classification is stated. The document provides administrative sanction and procedures for community cremation shed works in Adi Dravidar habitations.
How will villages be selected for cremation sheds?
Selection is generally based on Scheduled Caste population in descending order. Villages identified as atrocity prone must be taken up regardless of population and before other Adi Dravidar habitations.
Is Gram Sabha approval required for a selected cremation shed?
A Gram Sabha resolution must be obtained for every selected work. The work must also be entered individually in the relevant village panchayat register.
Can a project cover only a compound wall or paver blocks at an existing cremation shed?
No. G.O.(Ms) No.17 does not permit standalone proposals for a compound wall or paver blocks within cremation shed premises.
