Govt shortlists sites for memorial to MMS

The Centre is in the process of finalising a site where a memorial will be set up for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It has inspected some areas near Rajghat, Rashtriya Smriti Sthal and Kisan Ghat in the national capital.

Singh — the architect of India’s economic reforms — died on December 26 at the age of 92 following age-related complications.

Following his death, the BJP and the Congress engaged in a bitter war of words over the cremation and the setting up of a memorial to Manmohan Singh with the grand old party blaming the Centre for disrespecting the legacy of the two-time Prime Minister by cremating him at Nigambodh Ghat, a cremation place for commoners, instead of giving him a suitable place at Rajghat where former presidents and prime ministers have been cremated.

According to official sources, officers from the Ministry of Urban Development and Central Public Works Department (CPWD) have inspected some areas and shortlisted a couple of sites where the memorial could be built. “Those options have been shared with the former PM’s family,” a source said, adding that as of now, no site has been finalised and everything would be done in consultation with Singh’s family.

Before building a memorial, the government will have to form a trust which can then apply for land allocation and an MoU will be signed with the CPWD for construction.

In 2013, the Union Cabinet had approved the construction of a ‘Rashtriya Smriti’ at the Samadhis Complex near Ekta Sthal in New Delhi to establish a place to perform last rites of departed national leaders namely Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Prime Ministers, former Presidents, former Vice-Presidents, former Prime Ministers and such other leaders as decided by the Cabinet.

Meanwhile, Congress’ Praveen Davar demanded that ex-PM’s memorial should be built in Chandigarh. “Some may not like it. But I strongly feel that Chandigarh will be the best location for Dr Singh’s memorial,” he posted on X.