‘No’ transfer of dead bodies without provision of hearse vehicles, says Nabanna

Abhijit Ray, Kolkata: Nabannna is a building in the city of Howrah in Howrah district. Nabanna houses the temporary State Secretariat of the Indian state of West Bengal.. It was inaugurated on 5 October 2013 by Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee.Nabanna is keeping a close watch on the bereaved family members returning home with the bodies of their loved ones. Nabanna has directed all district collectors and district chief health officers. While no notification has been issued, health secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam said the order has been verbally communicated through swasthya bhavan. According to sources in various government hospitals, the issue has been discussed in the administrative circles since last Friday. Finally, a verbal order was issued at the government level on Monday itself. It has been said that every body should be packed in a bag while handing over the body to the family. Apart from this, the hospital authorities will also have to know whether anyone needs a hearse vehicle or not. If someone does not need a hearse vehicle, the hospital will have to inform them with signatures. And if a hearse-carrying vehicle is needed, the hospital will have to arrange for it. If the hospital does not have a car at that time, then the vehicle will have to be arranged through the local municipality or panchayat. Only then can the body be handed over with dignity.