Malpractice: Gravediggers charging up to eight times the official rates

Some cemeteries that had been officially closed are still in use, says official.

KARACHI:

Gravediggers in the city are charging up to eight times the amount set by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), The Express Tribune has learnt.

In addition, they are also using the graveyards that had been closed by the KMC for burial. The gravediggers are charging Rs10,000 to Rs20,000 to dig a single grave, while the official rates are only Rs2,500 per grave at a registered graveyard.

KMC’s graveyard director Iqbal Parvez admitted this may be happening but, he insisted, he was not aware of it. “I only joined the KMC a few months back,” he claimed. “The gravediggers are not our employees so they might be involved in malpractice.”

When asked why graveyards that have been closed are still being used, Parvez said that gravediggers gave the excuse that the plot was booked in advance.



It was also learnt that the KMC had closed down some graveyards because of lack of space, but the gravediggers are taking bribes. According to an official of the department, the gravediggers demolish a one grave and build a new one over it for a hefty amount.

There are around 200 registered graveyards in the city, while 28 graveyards have been closed, including the ones at Sakhi Hasan, Paposh Nagar, Mewa Shah, Yasinabad, Shah Faisal Colony, Mohajir Camp, Society, Tariq Road, al Noor Federal B Area, Ilyas Goth in Liaquatabad, Jahangirabad, Golimar, Model Colony No.1, Jaffar Tayar Society  and alFatah in Orangi.

“We are trying our best to implement the rules so that nobody abuses them,” he said.

The official added that Tariq Road graveyard is considered a good source of income for the gravediggers as they charge Rs50,000 per grave. This cemetery has also been closed, but it is still in use and the gravediggers take a bribe to demolish the old graves and build another one over them. The sources further revealed that some graveyards are being run on a contract basis and they are big source of income.

To deal with this situation, Parvez proposed that they should be given the authority to employ security guards and gravediggers at the graveyards.

The residents demanded the KMC should take action against those involved in taking bribe.

Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, acknowledging problems faced by citizens because of the fast shrinking capacities at existing graveyards, has directed officials to identify sites for new facilities, adds APP. Chairing a meeting the other day, he said Karachi was one of the most populated cities in the world and has also registered a steady increase in population growth. The city, therefore, needs to be well-equipped to meet its growing requirements. Administrators of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, the Defence Housing Authority and deputy commissioners of all five districts in the city were asked to identify possible location for new graveyards. “Care coupled with strict and pragmatic measures must also be ensured to avoid illegal activities that are often reported to be taking place in the existing graveyards,” said the commissioner.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th,2013.