The “Accidental Death Benefit Scheme” is a welfare initiative by the Puducherry Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board under the Labour Department of the Union Territory of Puducherry. The scheme is designed to offer financial assistance to the nominees or dependents of a deceased construction worker. This assistance of ₹2,25,000/- is provided in addition to ₹2,00,000/- from the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). The entire amount is credited directly to the nominee’s bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring prompt financial relief during a difficult time. Note that applications for this scheme are accepted offline.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance: ₹2,25,000/-
- Time of Disbursal: Within 15 days of application submission
- Mode of Disbursal: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the nominee’s bank account
Eligibility
- Nominee/Dependent Requirement: The applicant must be the nominee or a dependent of the deceased construction worker.
- Citizenship: The deceased construction worker should have been a citizen of India.
- Cause of Death: The construction worker must have died in an accident attributable to the harness.
- Registration: The deceased must have been registered as a construction worker with the Puducherry Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
- Age at Death: The deceased should have completed the age of 18 years.
- Work Tenure: The deceased should not have reached 60 years of age in the preceding 12 months of construction work.
- Contribution: The deceased must have contributed regularly to the welfare fund and should not have defaulted on contributions for more than one continuous year.
Application Process
Offline Application Steps:
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Obtain the Application Form:
- Visit the Office of the Puducherry Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board at Industrial Estate, Thattanchavady, Puducherry (PIN: 605 009) to obtain the prescribed application form free of cost from the designated authority.
- Alternatively, print the prescribed format available under the “Application for Welfare Benefits” section (Page No. 87) of the Citizen’s Charter.
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Complete the Form:
- Fill in all mandatory fields in the form.
- Paste a passport-sized photograph (signed across, if required).
- Attach copies of all mandatory documents (self-attested where specified).
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Submit the Application:
- Submit the duly filled and signed form along with the required documents to the concerned authority.
- Request and retain a receipt or acknowledgement, which must include details such as the date and time of submission and a unique identification number (if applicable).
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Time Limit:
- The completed application must be submitted within two months from the date of the construction worker’s death.
Documents Required
- Copy of discharge ticket from the hospital (in case of an accident)
- Copy of the mortuary report or FIR (in case of accidental death)
- Death certificate issued by the registered authority
- Certificate from the employer or the workplace where the worker was employed
- Copy of the beneficiary registration identity card
- Copy of the Bhamashah family card or Bhamashah nomination
- Copy of Aadhaar Card
- Copy of the first page of the bank account passbook
- Medical Report from the Competent Authority (RMO)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: In case of any grievances or concerns, how does the Grievance Redressal mechanism function within the scheme?
A1: The scheme has a dedicated Grievance Redressal cell. Applicants facing issues or delays can contact the cell as per the guidelines provided in the Citizen’s Charter. They are advised to submit a formal complaint at the Board’s office, where their issue will be recorded and addressed as per the established procedures.
Q2: Where can interested applicants access the application form and information on the registration process, and what is the significance of the offline application method?
A2: The application form and detailed instructions are available at the office of the Puducherry Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board and in the Citizen’s Charter (Page No. 87). The offline method ensures proper verification of documents and authenticity, which is crucial for processing claims in sensitive cases such as accidental deaths.
Q3: What is the mode of disbursal for the financial assistance under the scheme?
A3: The financial assistance is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the nominee’s bank account.
Q4: Can the financial assistance provided under the scheme be used for any specific purposes?
A4: The assistance is intended to provide immediate financial relief to the family of the deceased and is not earmarked for any specific expenditure. However, it should be used to mitigate the economic hardship following the loss.
Q5: Are there any restrictions on who can receive the financial assistance on behalf of the deceased construction worker?
A5: Yes, only the registered nominee or the dependent of the deceased construction worker is eligible to receive the assistance.
Q6: How is the financial assistance transferred to the nominee/dependent under the scheme?
A6: The transfer is made via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly to the bank account provided by the nominee during the application process.
Q7: What is the total financial support available to the nominees/dependents under the scheme?
A7: The scheme provides a financial assistance amount of ₹2,25,000/-, in addition to ₹2,00,000/- available through the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
Q8: Is there a specific timeframe for the disbursal of financial assistance under the scheme?
A8: Yes, the benefit is disbursed within 15 days of the application submission, subject to complete and correct documentation.
Q9: Are there any exceptions or conditions that might affect the stipulated 15-day disbursal period?
A9: While the target is to disburse funds within 15 days, delays may occur due to administrative issues or if there is incomplete documentation. In such cases, the Board may request additional information before processing the claim.
Q10: Is it mandatory for the deceased construction worker to have been registered with the Welfare Board for their nominee/dependent to be eligible?
A10: Yes, registration with the Puducherry Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board is mandatory for eligibility under this scheme.
Q11: Are there specific documents required to prove the relationship of the nominee to the deceased construction worker?
A11: Yes, the nominee must provide valid proof of relationship as part of the required documents. This typically includes documents like the beneficiary registration identity card, Bhamashah family card or nomination, and other supporting documents.
Q12: What contribution-related requirements are specified in the eligibility criteria?
A12: The deceased must have contributed regularly to the welfare fund during their lifetime and must not have defaulted on payments for more than one continuous year. This ensures that only those who have consistently supported the fund are eligible for the benefits.