In Gujarat, the government has introduced the Antyesthi Sahay Yojana, a funeral assistance scheme aimed at supporting construction workers and their families during difficult times. This initiative provides financial aid of ₹10,000 to families of construction workers who pass away unexpectedly. It was first launched in 2008 by the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The scheme aims to help families cope with the sudden loss of their breadwinner, providing essential financial support during a stressful time.
Since its inception, the scheme has benefitted over 1,300 families, with a total of ₹86.86 lakh distributed in assistance. The state government has increased the financial support over the years. Initially, the assistance amount was ₹2,000, which was later raised to ₹5,000 in 2015-16, and then to ₹7,000 in May 2020. As of April 2022, it stands at ₹10,000.
This increase reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the families of construction workers, who often work in hazardous conditions. The Antyesthi Sahay Yojana is managed by the Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Currently, there are over 12.42 lakh registered workers under this board, who can benefit from this scheme.
To qualify for the assistance, the deceased worker must have been a member of the board at the time of their death, and the family must apply within six months of the death. Applications can be submitted through the official e-construction portal.
The scheme aims to ensure that the state government stands by these workers and their families, especially during their last moments. The Antyesthi Sahay Yojana highlights the importance of looking after those who contribute to the state’s development by working in challenging environments.
In the past ten years, the number of families receiving assistance has consistently risen, showing how crucial this support is for construction workers and their families. In the first five years from 2015-16 to 2019-20, only ₹30.22 lakh was distributed in aid, compared to ₹56.64 lakh from 2020-21 to 2024-25. This significant increase indicates the growing need for such assistance in the wake of unexpected tragedies.
The Gujarat government continues to enhance this scheme to provide better support to its workers. The Antyesthi Sahay Yojana not only offers financial help but also symbolizes the respect and recognition the state has for the hard work and sacrifices made by construction workers.
Through this initiative, the government aims to ease the burden on families during their time of grief and ensure that they have the necessary financial resources to manage funeral expenses. This is an important step in acknowledging the contributions of construction workers to society and ensuring their families are not left in despair during difficult times.
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