Himanta Biswa Sarma launches scheme to bring back mortal remains of people from Assam who die outside

Himanta Biswa Sarma (file image)

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched a scheme to bring back the mortal remains of people from the state who die outside.

The scheme will be applicable primarily for youth engaged in low-paying jobs outside the state, along with those who have died in special circumstances, such as murder and accidents, he said.

It, however, will not be applicable to “financially well-off families or those who are capable of making their own arrangements”, he said.

Patients going to other states for medical treatment will also not be covered under the scheme, the chief minister said.

“The 'Shraddhanjali' scheme is an initiative to ensure the dignified return of the bodies of those who die outside the state to their family members,'' Sarma said at the launch here.

It will be implemented by the state’s Home and Political Department in coordination with the Assam Police.

''Shraddhanjali is a special scheme to provide complete assistance for the dignified and respectful transportation of mortal remains of deceased domiciled residents from anywhere in India back to Assam'', he said.

The state Cabinet had approved the scheme on June 22 for the government to facilitate is implementation and it will be coordinated by the Special Branch (SB) of Assam Police.

It is a humanitarian initiative to cover the full cost of repatriating the mortal remains of Assamese youth who die while working or studying in other Indian states and has been launched to ease the financial and logistical burden of the bereaved families, he said.

Sarma said that even before the formal launch of the scheme, his government was extending this service informally, and so far, the mortal remains of 24 individuals have been brought back to the state with full honours this year. The service will now be fully institutionalised.

The scheme will cover students pursuing education in colleges and universities or other institutions outside Assam, as well as the youth engaged in low-income jobs outside the state, Sarma said.

In case of death of such individuals, their families or acquaintances may contact the Assam government through designated helpline numbers, he said.

The information can also be conveyed to the chief secretary or the Chief Minister’s Office directly, he added.

Sarma pointed out that deaths generally happen naturally and unnaturally and the scheme was designed to ensure that in case of unnatural deaths of persons outside, the Special Branch of Assam Police will provide necessary legal and procedural assistance to the affected families.

Designated police officers from Assam will also travel to the state concerned, when required, to ensure the dignified repatriation of the mortal remains, he said.

The CM said that bringing back a body from another state usually costs around Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, making it difficult for many parents to see their loved one for the last time.

Assam Police's Special Branch will be the nodal agency, wherein a DIG level officer will remain the Nodal Officer on receiving information, the police personnel will assess whether the family is in a position to bring back the dead body, or whether government assistance is required, he added.