Goa's Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza today told the State Legislative Assembly that the number of unclaimed bodies goes up during the tourism season in the state.
"As far as unclaimed bodies which are languishing in the morgues of government-run hospitals, these are mostly medico-legal cases. Their number increases during the tourism season. The reason, we are not aware," D'Souza told the House speaking on the demands for grants to the Health Department.
The minister said hospital or police cannot dispose off these bodies without following proper procedure.
"The police have to write to all the states and in case of foreigner to Embassies. They have to check whether they are missing persons' bodies," D'Souza added.
"Recently, I have issued directions to police to send the bodies of foreigners back and if not bury them. As far as local bodies are concerned, the municipal bodies are asked to dispose them. We have started the process," the minister said responding to the concerns raised by opposition benches about the packed morgues.
