Assam launches ‘Shraddhanjali’ scheme for dignified return of deceased residents

Assam government, on Monday, launched the “Shraddhanjali” scheme, designed to ensure a dignified return for people from Assam who lose their lives outside the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the initiative is meant for students and workers from humble backgrounds who travel outside Assam for higher studies or employment.

The scheme will cover students who go out for higher studies and youth who migrate for work.


Sarma said, noting that 24 bodies of Assamese youth have been brought back to the state unofficially this year alone. The scheme will not apply to “financially well-off” families. "The scheme also does not cover individuals who travel outside Assam for medical treatment. If someone can afford medical treatment outside the state, they can afford to bring back the body,” he explained.

The Chief Minister added, “A designated police officer will travel to the concerned state and bring back the body with due respect. We all know that bring back the body costs at least Rs 40,000–50,000. Through this scheme, we hope to ease the burden on grieving parents,” Sarma said.

Recently nine migrant workers from Assam in an accident at a construction site at the Ennore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) thermal power station near Chennai. Their bodies were flown back to Assam on October 2 via a special flight arranged by the Tamil Nadu government.

Sarma also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker. Additionally, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin sanctioned a solatium of Rs 10 lakh per family and directed officials to ensure the dignified repatriation of the victims.