The “Medical Assistance Scheme” is a welfare initiative by the Puducherry Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, under the Labour Department, Union Territory of Puducherry. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to construction workers who are hospitalized due to accidents or diseases. If a worker is hospitalized for five or more days, they are eligible to receive financial aid to cover the medical expenses during their recovery.
Benefits
- ₹500/- for the first 5 days of hospitalization.
- ₹50/- per day for the remaining days, up to a maximum of ₹1,500/- per month.
- The financial assistance is credited directly to the worker’s bank account within 15 days through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Eligibility
- Indian citizens must apply.
- Applicants must be Puducherry Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board-registered construction workers.
- Worker must be 18 years old.
- The worker should not have turned 60 in the last year in construction.
- A worker must contribute to the Board’s Fund.
- The candidate must not have missed contributions for more than a year.
- The applicant must have been hospitalized for five days due to illness or accident.
Application Process
Offline Registration Process:
- Visit the Puducherry Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (Industrial Estate, Thattanchavady, Puducherry – 605 009) for a free registration form.
- Step 2: Complete all relevant fields, attach a passport-sized picture, and submit all papers (self-attested if needed). Declaration that you work in construction.
- Step 3: Send the authorities the completed registration form and papers.
- Step 4: Request a receipt with submission date and time.
- Step 5: The Secretary (Board) will enroll the worker as a beneficiary after inspection verification.
- Registration Fee: ₹25/- upon enrollment.
- Annual subscription fee: ₹100/year.
- Fee for renewal: ₹300/- every 3 years.
Application Process:
- Step 1: Get the application form from the Board or download it from the Citizen’s Charter.
- Step 2: Complete the appropriate fields and attach any applicable papers (self-attested if needed).
- Step 3: Provide the authorities with the completed form and obtain a receipt.
- Step 4: Apply within one year after discharge.
Documents Required
For Registration:
- Duly filled and signed application form.
- Age Verification: Birth Certificate/Transfer Certificate/Doctor Certificate.
- Experience Certificate from a registered engineer/contractor/association/trade union.
- Worksite details.
- Proof of Blood Group (Medical Health Card or Laboratory Certificate).
- Two Passport-size Photographs.
- Ration Card.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Bank Details.
- Family Particulars/Status and Nomination Details.
- Certificate from the Revenue or Social Welfare Department or Anganwadi Officials.
For Application:
- Last subscription bill.
- Board ID card.
- Aadhaar Card.
- Bank Passbook.
- Medical certificate from the competent authority (RMO).
- Prescription slip or Treatment card.
- Discharge slip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can a construction worker with a lapse in contribution still be eligible? No, the worker must not have defaulted in contributions for more than one year.
- What happens if a worker is hospitalized for less than five days? The scheme provides benefits only for hospitalization of five or more days.
- Is there an age limit for applying for the scheme? Yes, the worker must be between 18 and 60 years of age.
- What if a worker has defaulted in payment previously? Workers who have defaulted in payments for over a year will not be eligible for benefits.
- What financial assistance does the Medical Assistance scheme provide? The scheme provides ₹500 for the first five days and ₹50 per day for additional days, up to a maximum of ₹1,500 per month.
- How quickly are the benefits disbursed after hospitalization? The financial assistance is disbursed within 15 days via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
- Can the financial assistance be used for purposes other than medical expenses? The assistance is meant for medical expenses during hospitalization.
- Is there a maximum limit on the total benefits a worker can receive? Yes, the maximum assistance is ₹1,500 per month.
- Are the benefits taxable? There is no specific mention of the benefits being taxable in the provided scheme details.
- Is there an option for a lump sum payment instead of monthly assistance? The scheme provides monthly assistance; lump sum payments are not mentioned.
- Are there any conditions for extending the benefit period beyond 5 days? The assistance is extended based on the duration of hospitalization, up to a maximum of ₹1,500.
- Can the beneficiary choose the mode of receiving the financial assistance? The benefits are credited via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary’s bank account.