MCD house nod for free CNG & electric cremation, gaushala bills

New Delhi; Seeking to combine environmental reform with welfare measures, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) on Monday approved free cremation at CNG and electric facilities, sanctioned Rs 15.3 crore for feeding impounded cattle housed in four gaushalas, and also initiated discussions on transitioning to a paperless system. The civic authority gave the administrative sanction for clearing pending dues and upcoming feeding charges to four gaushalas for the financial year 2025-26.The decisions were taken during MCD's monthly house meeting on Monday where several key proposals were passed. According to data, the pending liability for feeding charges from April-Oct 2025 is about Rs 8.8 crore. The estimated expenditure for Nov 2025 to March 2026 is around Rs 6.5 crore.Shri Krishan Gaushala (Surbhi), Sultanpur Dabas, has the highest combined liability at Rs 6.3 crore, followed by Dabar Hare Krishna Gaushala/Gausadan (Rs 3.6 crore), Gopal Gosadan, Harewali (Rs 2.9 crore), and Manav Gaushadan, Rewla Khanpur (Rs 2.3 crore). The feeding charge is calculated at Rs 20 per cattle head per day.The house also approved a proposal to provide free cremation at CNG and electric crematoriums under its jurisdiction to help reduce smoke emissions and curb pollution, a move that was reported by TOI last month. Currently, wood-based cremation costs around Rs 700 per quintal of wood, with an average of three to four quintals used per body, pushing the total cost to approximately Rs 2,100 to Rs 2,800. In comparison, CNG cremation costs about Rs 1,500, while electric cremation costs approximately Rs 500. Delhi has two electric crematoriums and eight CNG ones. Despite being more environmentally sustainable and relatively economical, these facilities remain underutilised, as many families continue to follow traditional wood-based cremation.The house meeting also saw debate governance issues. Leader of Opposition and AAP leader Ankush Narang raised concerns that the financial approval limit of the MCD commissioner had reportedly been increased from Rs 5 crore to Rs 50 crore, arguing that this would reduce the powers of the house and elected councillors.There was also discussion on shifting to a paperless system. Senior councillor Ritu Goel supported the move, saying that, in line with the Prime Minister's push for digital governance, MCD should reduce paper usage to help protect the environment.Indraprastha Vikas Party leader Mukesh Goyal said he was not opposed to going paperless but insisted that physical copies of agendas should continue for councillors who are not fully comfortable with digital platforms.