Mysuru, May 14 -- In a desperate bid to shore up its crumbling finances, the cash-strapped Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has decided to impose a Rs. 500 cremation fee, a move that has triggered widespread outrage, with citizens accusing the civic body of "making money off the dead."

A notification signed by MCC's Senior Health Officer, who also oversees the Births and Deaths Registration Department, confirmed that all gas and electric crematoriums in Mysuru will now charge Rs. 500 per body.

Only Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe community members are exempt from this fee. Until now, cremation services were free of cost, provided as a public welfare measure.

The order affects crematoriums located at the Chamundi foothill (Harishchandr...