The Immediate Death Relief Assistance scheme is a vital sub-component of the “Welfare and Relief for Fishermen During Lean Seasons and Natural Calamities Scheme” implemented in Puducherry. This scheme is designed to provide prompt financial relief to the families (legal heirs) of fishermen who lose their lives while fishing. By compensating for the sudden loss of the primary breadwinner, the scheme aims to help affected families continue to sustain their livelihoods during difficult times.
Details
The scheme is available throughout all regions of the Union Territory of Puducherry and offers a financial assistance of ₹1,00,000 to the legal heir of a deceased fisherman. The assistance is meant to be disbursed within 15 days to 3 months after the application is submitted. The scheme specifically targets cases where the deceased fisherman:
- Was aged between 18 and 60 years.
- Lost his or her life while engaged in fishing activities.
- Was not receiving benefits from the old age pension scheme.
- Had enrolled as a member of a Fishermen/Fisherwomen Co-operative Society.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance:
- ₹1,00,000 is provided as immediate relief to the legal heir of the deceased fisherman.
- Timely Disbursement:
- The relief amount is to be credited within 15 days to 3 months from the date the application is received.
Eligibility
- For the Family (Legal Heir):
- The applicant must be the legal heir or family member of the deceased fisherman.
- For the Deceased Fisherman:
- Must have been a resident of Puducherry.
- Must have lost his/her life while fishing.
- Must have been aged between 18 and 60 years at the time of death.
- Must not have been a beneficiary of the old age pension scheme.
- Must have been enrolled as a member of a Fishermen/Fisherwomen Co-operative Society.
Application Process
Offline Application
- Visit the Concerned Office:
- Applicants should visit the office of the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare or the sub-offices in the outlying regions across all four regions of Puducherry.
- Obtain the Application Form:
- Request a hard copy of the prescribed application form from the concerned authority.
- Complete the Form:
- Fill in all the mandatory fields, attach a passport-sized photograph (signed across if required), and self-attest all required documents.
- Submit the Application:
- Submit the completed application form along with the documents to the concerned authority.
- Receipt of Submission:
- Ensure you receive a receipt or acknowledgment that includes the date, time, and a unique identification number (if applicable).
Note: The affected family should apply within 30 days from the date of the event to be considered for the relief.
Documents Required
- Photograph:
- Recent photograph of the family (legal heir) of the deceased.
- Proof of Residency:
- Residential certificate of the deceased fisherman.
- Proof of Age:
- Birth certificate or any valid proof of age of the deceased.
- Declaration:
- A declaration stating that the deceased was not a beneficiary of the old age pension scheme.
- Co-operative Society Membership:
- Membership certificate from the President/Administrator of the Fishermen/Fisherwomen Co-operative Society.
- No Claim Certificate:
- Certificate from the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management confirming no prior financial assistance claim.
- Identity Proof:
- Attested copy of the Electoral Identity Card.
- Ration Card:
- Attested copy of the Ration Card.
- Panchayathar’s Letter:
- Letter from the concerned village Panchayathar.
- Death Certificate:
- Official death certificate of the deceased fisherman.
- Legal Heir Affidavit:
- Affidavit on a ₹5 stamp paper detailing the name, relationship, and address of the legal heir, duly signed before a Notary Public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How is the family (legal heir) relationship established for eligibility?
A1: The relationship is established through a legal heir affidavit on a ₹5 stamp paper, supported by relevant documents such as the death certificate and identity proofs of the family members.
Q2: Is there a specific age range for the deceased fisherman to be eligible for relief?
A2: Yes, the deceased fisherman must have been between 18 and 60 years of age at the time of death.
Q3: What steps should an applicant take after submitting the application form?
A3: After submission, applicants should obtain a receipt with the submission date, time, and identification number, and then follow up with the concerned authority as needed for the status of the application.
Q4: Can an applicant apply for the relief if the deceased fisherman was a beneficiary of the old age pension scheme?
A4: No, the scheme explicitly excludes deceased fishermen who were beneficiaries of the old age pension scheme.
Q5: What is the maximum time frame for receiving relief after the application is submitted?
A5: Relief funds are disbursed within 15 days to 3 months from the date of application receipt.
Q6: Can a widow, daughter, or sister be considered as a legal heir under the scheme?
A6: Yes, as long as they are recognized as the legal heir through the required affidavit and supporting documents.
Q7: How does the scheme define “deceased fishermen”?
A7: It refers to fishermen who have lost their lives while engaged in fishing activities in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Q8: What role does the Fishermen/Fisherwomen Co-operative Society play in the eligibility criteria?
A8: The deceased must have been enrolled as a member of a Fishermen/Fisherwomen Co-operative Society for the family to be eligible for the relief.
Q9: What is the deadline for applying for the Immediate Death Relief Assistance?
A9: The application must be submitted within 30 days from the date of the fisherman’s death.
Q10: How can an interested applicant obtain the application form for the scheme?
A10: The application form can be obtained by visiting the office of the Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare or its sub-offices across Puducherry.
Q11: What is the objective of the “Immediate Death Relief Assistance” scheme?
A11: The objective is to provide prompt financial support to the family of a deceased fisherman to compensate for the loss of the breadwinner and help them run the household.