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Gujarat Disburses Record Rs 7.14 Crore Funeral Aid to Unorganised Workers in 2025-26

The Gujarat government has disbursed a record Rs 7.14 crore to 7,145 heirs of unorganised sector workers in 2025-26 under its funeral assistance scheme. The Post-Death Ritual (Antyeshti) Assistance Scheme provides financial relief to families of deceased unorganised labourers during funeral rites. Eligibility requires the deceased to be an e-Shram cardholder aged 16-70, with family income capped at Rs 1.20 lakh (rural) or Rs 1.50 lakh (urban). The scheme has cumulatively provided over Rs 13.73 crore to 26,657 beneficiaries over the past decade.

Key Points: Gujarat's Record Rs 7.14 Cr Funeral Aid for Unorganised Workers

  • Record Rs 7.14 crore disbursed to 7,145 heirs in 2025-26
  • Scheme covers unorganised workers aged 16-70 with e-Shram cards
  • Assistance increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 per death
  • Cumulative Rs 13.73 crore given to 26,657 beneficiaries over 10 years
2 min read

Gujarat disburses record Rs 7.14 crore funeral aid to heirs of unorganised workers in 2025-26

Gujarat government disburses record Rs 7.14 crore funeral aid to 7,145 heirs of unorganised workers in 2025-26 under Antyeshti Assistance Scheme.

"The assistance was provided under the Post-Death Ritual (Antyeshti) Assistance Scheme, which supports families of deceased unorganised workers during funeral rites. - Government officials"

Ahmedabad, May 2

The Gujarat government has disbursed a record over Rs 7.14 crore to 7,145 heirs of unorganised sector workers in 2025-26 under its funeral assistance scheme, marking the highest annual payout since the programme's launch in 2011.

The assistance was provided under the Post-Death Ritual (Antyeshti) Assistance Scheme, which supports families of deceased unorganised workers during funeral rites.

Officials said the scheme covers unorganised labourers, including construction workers and others not belonging to the Scheduled Castes, at the time of death.

Cumulatively, over the past 10 years, the scheme has extended more than Rs 13.73 crore to 26,657 beneficiaries, according to government data.

The disbursements are aimed at providing immediate financial relief to families at a time of bereavement.

The scheme is being implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the leadership of Labour and Employment Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya, with the Gujarat Rural Workers Welfare Board overseeing its execution.

Eligibility criteria require the deceased to have been an e-Shram cardholder, aged between 16 and 70 years at the time of death.

The annual income ceiling for the beneficiary's family is Rs 1.20 lakh in rural areas and Rs 1.50 lakh in urban areas.

The financial assistance under the scheme has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000.

Eligible heirs must apply within three months of the worker's death, submitting the prescribed form along with required documents to the offices of designated labour authorities, including the Assistant Labour Commissioner or Deputy Labour Commissioner.

Application forms and related documents are available on the Gujarat Rural Workers Welfare Board's website.

The government clarified that the scheme does not apply to construction workers holding e-Nirman cards or individuals from the Scheduled Castes.

Separate provisions exist for these groups: Scheduled Caste beneficiaries are covered under the "Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra Post-Death Assistance Scheme" implemented by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, while e-Nirman card holders are covered under schemes of the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

The latest figures indicate an expansion in both outreach and disbursement under the Antyeshti Assistance Scheme, reflecting increased utilisation in the current financial year.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

N
Neha E
The article says Rs 1.20 lakh income ceiling for rural areas. In this economy, most unorganised workers earn below that anyway. But why exclude SC workers from this scheme? They've got a separate scheme, but why create confusion? Simplify things, government! Also, e-Shram card linkage is good but many daily wagers don't even have that. Need better awareness and outreach.
A
Ananya R
My father was a construction worker in Vadodara. When he died suddenly in 2023, we had no idea such a scheme existed. The local labour office never told us. We ended up borrowing from relatives for the funeral. Now they've increased it to Rs 10,000, which is great, but what use is money if people don't know about it? Please, Gujarat government, do proper publicity in villages and construction sites!
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see this kind of targeted welfare in India. Back in Canada, we have similar funeral benefits but the process is more streamlined. The 3-month application window seems reasonable if awareness is high. But I'm curious about whether these funds actually reach families quickly during their time of grief. Hope the government is monitoring disbursement efficiency.
P
Priya S
Rs 13.73 crore to 26,657 families in 10 years. That's roughly Rs 5,150 per family average, but now it's Rs 10,000. Better late than never! Though I'm a bit skeptical about the record numbers - is it because more people are dying or because more are enrolling? Either way, this is a legit safety net. The separate schemes for SC and construction workers makes sense legally but implementing it all under one umbrella would reduce confusion for grieving families.

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