Power to make rules prohibiting disposal of the dead except at places set apart

(1) A competent authority may, from time to time make rules prohibiting the disposal of the dead whether by cremation, burial or otherwise at places other than those set apart for such purpose: Provided that no such rules shall be made in respect of any such town or place in which places have not been so set apart: Provided further that the competent authority or any officer authorised by it in this behalf may, on an application made to it or him by any person, and after consultation with the Health Officer of the area concerned or other prescribed officer of the Department of Public Health, grant to such person permission to dispose of the corpse of any deceased person at any place other than a place so set apart, if in its or his opinion such disposal is not likely to cause obstruction to traffic or disturbance of the public peace or is not objectionable for any other reason. (2) Any rules made under sub-section (1) shall specify the places set apart for the disposal of the dead of different communities or sections of communities. (3) All such rules shall be subject to the condition of previous publication for a period of not less than two months and shall be made after consultation with the Health Officer of the area concerned or other prescribed officer of the Department of Public Health. Explanation.—For the purpose of this section, a place set apart for the disposal of the dead means a place set apart for such purpose under any custom, usage or law for the time being in force.