The Gujarat government has distributed a record sum of over Rs 7.14 crore to 7,145 heirs of unorganised sector workers in 2025-26 through its funeral assistance scheme, marking the highest annual payout since its inception in 2011. This assistance falls under the Post-Death Ritual (Antyeshti) Assistance Scheme, which aids families of deceased unorganised workers during funeral ceremonies. Officials mention that the scheme caters to unorganised laborers, such as construction workers, who are not part of the Scheduled Castes at the time of their demise.
Cumulatively, over the past decade, the scheme has provided more than Rs 13.73 crore to 26,657 beneficiaries, as per government records. The disbursements aim to offer immediate financial support to families during times of mourning. The scheme is being executed under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Labor and Employment Minister Kunvarji Bavaliya, with oversight from the Gujarat Rural Workers Welfare Board.
Eligibility criteria state that the deceased must have been an e-Shram cardholder, aged between 16 and 70 years at the time of death. The annual income limit for the beneficiary’s family stands at Rs 1.20 lakh in rural areas and Rs 1.50 lakh in urban regions. Financial aid under the scheme has been raised from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. To apply, eligible heirs must do so within three months of the worker’s passing, submitting the necessary form and documents to designated labor authorities’ offices.
Application forms and relevant documents can be accessed on the Gujarat Rural Workers Welfare Board’s website. It is clarified that the scheme does not cover construction workers holding e-Nirman cards or individuals from the Scheduled Castes. Separate provisions are in place for these groups: Scheduled Caste beneficiaries fall under the “Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra Post-Death Assistance Scheme” by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, while e-Nirman cardholders are included in schemes of the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Recent data indicates an expansion in both outreach and disbursement under the Antyeshti Assistance Scheme, showcasing increased utilization in the current fiscal year.
