Guwahati, October 6, 2025 – The Assam government has officially launched the ‘Shraddhanjali’ scheme, a humanitarian initiative designed to ensure the dignified return of deceased residents who pass away outside the state. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma unveiled the scheme at a ceremony in Guwahati, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting bereaved families during difficult times.
The Shraddhanjali scheme aims to provide logistical and financial assistance to transport the mortal remains of Assam residents who die in other states, particularly in distressing circumstances where families face financial or logistical challenges. The scheme is primarily intended for youths in low-income jobs and those who have died in special circumstances such as accidents or crimes. It will also extend to students pursuing education outside Assam.
Chief Minister Sarma clarified that the scheme will not cover financially stable families who can afford repatriation or individuals who travel to other states for medical treatment.
The Assam Police, under the Home and Political Department, will oversee the implementation of the scheme to ensure swift, coordinated, and respectful transportation of mortal remains. The Special Branch of the Assam Police has been designated as the nodal agency, headed by a DIG-level officer, to manage the process. Designated police officers may also travel to the concerned state to ensure dignified repatriation in cases of unnatural deaths.
Families seeking assistance can report deaths and access scheme details through the Sewa Setu Portal or by contacting helpline numbers 91810-14888, 112, or 0361-2381511. These helplines will connect families with the Special Branch of the Assam Police, which will verify the details and initiate the repatriation process. Information can also be conveyed to the Chief Secretary or the Chief Minister's Office directly.
The government will cover all expenses related to bringing the deceased back to Assam, including legal paperwork, embalming, packaging, air or rail transportation, and ground transportation to the family's doorstep.
Even before the scheme's formal launch, the state government had been providing this service informally, and the mortal remains of 24 individuals had been brought back to Assam with full honor this year. With the official launch, the service is now fully institutionalized.
The launch of the Shraddhanjali scheme follows recent incidents involving the deaths of migrant workers from Assam. In one such incident, nine migrant workers from Assam died in an accident at a construction site near Chennai. Their bodies were flown back to Assam on October 2 via a special flight arranged by the Tamil Nadu government. The Chief Minister also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker.
The Shraddhanjali scheme is a welcome step towards alleviating the financial and emotional burden on families who lose loved ones outside Assam. By providing logistical and financial support, the government aims to ensure that every Assam resident can return home with dignity, even in death.
