Mizoram begins transportation of dead bodies

Sticking to its pre-poll promises, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) government has started transporting dead bodies from first September. Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs minister Lalrinpuii said that the government has allocated Rs. 5 crore for the purpose. She said that transportation costs of dead bodies over distance exceeding 20 km will be borne by the government. She said that the social welfare and tribal affairs will serve as the nodal agency for the scheme and any person who avail the scheme can claim reimbursement from the government. Application for reimbursement can be submitted to Directorate in Aizawl or to district social welfare offices.

Lalrinpuii said that relatives of the deceased can utilise government-empanelled vehicles for this purpose. The minister clarified that only one vehicle per deceased person will be covered, and if the death occurs outside a hospital, an acknowledgement from a competent authority must be obtained.  Reimbursements will strictly apply to the vehicle hire charges for transporting the body.

Lalrinpuii noted that the scheme aims to alleviate the financial burden on the state’s 40 legislators, who have been personally covering the costs of transportingbodies to their respective constituencies. The scheme will make this support more universally accessible. Eligible applicants with Aadhaar cards or Electoral Photo Identity Cards can claim the reimbursement upon presenting the necessary documents.