The Antya Sanskar Sahay Yojana is an initiative by the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Goa, designed to ease the financial burden associated with funeral and religious ceremonies for Scheduled Tribe (ST) families. The scheme provides grants to cover these expenses, ensuring that cultural and religious traditions are maintained during times of loss.
Benefits
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- Financial Assistance:
- Provides up to ₹20,000 or the actual cost of the funeral and religious ceremonies, whichever is less.
- Financial Assistance:
Eligibility
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- Community:
- The deceased or the applicant must belong to a Scheduled Tribe (ST) Family.
- Income Criteria:
- The annual family income of the deceased or applicant must not exceed ₹3,00,000.
- Special Case:
- If the applicant is not from a Scheduled Tribe but the deceased is, the applicant must establish a first relationship with the deceased. Claims under this case must be made within 12 months from the date of death.
- Community:
Application Process
Offline Application Steps
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- Visit the Office:
- Go to the Department of Tribal Welfare, Govt. of Goa, Shram Shakti Bhavan, 5th Floor, Patto, Panaji-Goa, – 403 001.
- Obtain the Application Form:
- Collect a printed copy of the proforma or request a hard copy from the concerned authority.
- Complete the Form:
- Fill in all mandatory fields, affix a passport-sized photograph (signed across), and attach copies of all required documents (self-attested where necessary).
- Submission:
- Submit the duly completed and signed application form along with the necessary documents to the designated authority.
- Visit the Office:
Documents Required
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- Caste Certificate: Issued by the competent authority.
- Death Certificate: For the deceased; for Christian Scheduled Tribe families, a Death & Burial Certificate.
- Income Certificate: Issued by a competent authority.
- Ration Card
- Election Card
- Proof of Relationship: Documents such as a Birth Certificate or Marriage Certificate.
- Aadhaar Card
- Vouchers/Receipts: Related to funeral expenses.
- Bank Passbook
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is there a specific timeframe within which the applicant must apply for the scheme after the occurrence of death?
A1: Yes, applications should be submitted as per the timeline specified in the official notification, with special cases requiring claims within 12 months from the date of death.
Q2: How does the scheme ensure that the applicants meet the eligibility criteria?
A2: Eligibility is verified through required documents such as caste certificates, income certificates, and proof of relationship, along with scrutiny by the Department of Tribal Welfare.
Q3: What is the maximum financial assistance offered under this scheme?
A3: The scheme provides financial assistance up to ₹20,000 or the actual cost incurred, whichever is less.
Q4: Could you provide insights into the special case scenario mentioned in the scheme?
A4: If the applicant is not from a Scheduled Tribe but the deceased is, the applicant must prove their first relationship with the deceased. In such cases, the claim must be made within 12 months from the occurrence of death.
Q5: Who is eligible to apply for the benefits of the “Antya Sanskar Sahay Yojana”?
A5: The scheme is open to Scheduled Tribe families, or in special cases, to those who can establish a first relationship with a deceased Scheduled Tribe member, with an annual family income not exceeding ₹3,00,000.
Q6: What is the primary objective of the “Antya Sanskar Sahay Yojana”?
A6: The primary objective is to provide financial assistance for the funeral and religious ceremonies of Scheduled Tribe families, ensuring that these cultural rites are performed without undue financial strain.
Q7: How does the scheme address cases where the applicant seeking assistance is not from a Scheduled Tribe family, but the deceased is?
A7: In such cases, the applicant must provide proof of a first relationship with the deceased, and the claim must be made within 12 months of the death.
Q8: What are the documents required to prove the annual income eligibility criterion?
A8: An income certificate issued by a competent authority is required to verify that the annual family income does not exceed ₹3,00,000.
Q9: How does the scheme determine the actual cost of funeral and religious ceremonies?
A9: The actual cost is determined based on vouchers and receipts provided by the applicant, which are verified by the department.
Q10: Can you provide insights into the sanctioning authority and the decision-making process within the scheme?
A10: The Department of Tribal Welfare, Govt. of Goa is responsible for scrutinizing applications, and decisions are made by the designated authority at Shram Shakti Bhavan, with guidelines as per the official notification.
Q11: Can you explain the significance of the “Mandate Form” among the required documents?
A11: (If applicable) The mandate form, if required, serves as an authorization for the department to process the claim and disburse funds based on the provided details.