Harishchandra Yojana 2023-24: A Scheme for Dignified Last Rites

Death is inevitable, but not everyone gets a dignified farewell. In India, many poor and destitute people are unable to afford the expenses of cremation or burial of their loved ones. This leads to social and environmental problems, such as dumping of dead bodies in rivers, forests, or roadsides.

To address this issue, the Odisha government launched the Harishchandra Yojana in 2013. The scheme provides financial assistance to the families of the deceased for conducting the last rites. The scheme is named after the legendary king Harishchandra, who was known for his honesty and integrity.

In this article, we will discuss the objectives, benefits, features, eligibility, documents required, impact and application process of the Harishchandra Yojana. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the scheme.

Objectives of Harishchandra Yojana

The main objectives of the Harishchandra Yojana are:

• To provide financial assistance to the poor and destitute for conducting the last rites of their deceased family members.
• To ensure that every deceased person gets a dignified and respectful farewell, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, or gender.
• To prevent the disposal of dead bodies in an improper manner, which can cause pollution and health hazards.
• To promote social harmony and compassion among the people.

Benefits and Features of Harishchandra Yojana

The benefits and features of the Harishchandra Yojana are:

• The scheme provides financial assistance of Rs. 2000 in rural areas and Rs. 3000 in urban areas to the families of the deceased for cremation or burial expenses.
• The assistance is given within 24 hours of the death of the person.
• The assistance is given through direct bank transfer or cheque to the beneficiary.
• The scheme covers all categories of people, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities, Women, Children, Senior Citizens, etc.
• The scheme is implemented by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department of Odisha in collaboration with the district collectors and municipal commissioners.
• The scheme is monitored by the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) through an online portal.

Eligibility Criteria and Required Documents for Harishchandra Yojana

The eligibility criteria and required documents for Harishchandra Yojana are:

• The applicant should be a resident of Odisha.
• The applicant should belong to a poor or destitute family.
• The applicant should have a valid Aadhaar card or voter ID card or ration card or any other identity proof.
• The applicant should have a bank account or post office account in their name or in the name of any family member.
• The applicant should have a death certificate or post-mortem report or police report or hospital report or any other proof of death of the deceased person.

Impact of Harishchandra Yojana

The impact of Harishchandra Yojana can be seen in the following aspects:

• The scheme has provided relief and support to thousands of families who were unable to perform the last rites of their loved ones due to financial constraints.
• The scheme has ensured that every deceased person gets a dignified and respectful farewell, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, or gender.
• The scheme has prevented the disposal of dead bodies in an improper manner, which can cause pollution and health hazards.
• The scheme has promoted social harmony and compassion among the people.

According to the official data, as of August 2023, more than 4 lakh beneficiaries have received financial assistance under the Harishchandra Yojana.

How to Apply for Harishchandra Yojana

The application process for Harishchandra Yojana can be done online or offline. The steps are as follows:

Online Application Process

• Visit the official website of CMRF at https://www.cmrfodisha.gov.in/
• Click on “Harischandra Sahayata Yojna” on the homepage.
• Enter your Aadhaar number or mobile number and click on “Verify”.
• Fill in the application form with your personal details, bank account details, deceased person’s details, etc.
• Upload the required documents such as identity proof, death proof, etc.
• Submit the application form and note down the application number for future reference.

Offline Application Process

• Visit your nearest tehsil office or municipal office or any other designated authority.
• Collect the application form from the office or download it from Harischandra Sahayata Yojana (cmrfodisha.gov.in).

• Fill in the application form with your personal details, bank account details, deceased person’s details, etc.
• Attach the required documents such as identity proof, death proof, etc.
• Submit the application form to the office or any other designated authority.

Conclusion

• Harishchandra Yojana is a noble scheme launched by the Odisha government to provide dignified last rites to the poor and destitute. The scheme provides financial assistance to the families of the deceased for cremation or burial expenses. The scheme covers all categories of people, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, or gender. The scheme also prevents the disposal of dead bodies in an improper manner, which can cause pollution and health hazards. The scheme also promotes social harmony and compassion among the people.
• The scheme has provided relief and support to thousands of families who were unable to perform the last rites of their loved ones due to financial constraints. The scheme has also ensured that every deceased person gets a dignified and respectful farewell.
• The scheme can be applied online or offline by visiting https://www.cmrfodisha.gov.in/ or any nearest tehsil office or municipal office or any other designated authority.
• If you have any queries or suggestions about Harishchandra Yojana, you can contact us at 1800-345-6770 or leave a comment below.

Frequently Asked Questions about Harishchandra Yojana

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about Harishchandra Yojana:

Who can apply for Harishchandra Yojana?

Any resident of Odisha who belongs to a poor or destitute family and has lost a family member can apply for Harishchandra Yojana.

How much financial assistance is given under Harishchandra Yojana?

The financial assistance given under Harishchandra Yojana is Rs. 2000 in rural areas and Rs. 3000 in urban areas for cremation or burial expenses.

How to check the status of the Harishchandra Yojana application?

The status of the Harishchandra Yojana application can be checked online by visiting https://www.cmrfodisha.gov.in/ and entering the application number or Aadhaar number or mobile number.

How long does it take to get the financial assistance under Harishchandra Yojana?

The financial assistance under Harishchandra Yojana is given within 24 hours of the death of the person.

What are the documents required for Harishchandra Yojana?

The documents required for Harishchandra Yojana are identity proof, bank account details, death proof, etc.

What is the helpline number for Harishchandra Yojana?

The helpline number for Harishchandra Yojana is 1800-345-6770.

What is the official website for Harishchandra Yojana?

The official website for Harishchandra Yojana is https://www.cmrfodisha.gov.in/.

Is Harishchandra Yojana applicable to all categories of people?

Yes, Harishchandra Yojana is applicable for all categories of people, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities, Women, Children, Senior Citizens, etc.

Is Harishchandra Yojana applicable for all types of deaths?

Yes, Harishchandra Yojana is applicable for all types of deaths, including natural, accidental, suicidal, homicidal, etc.

Is Harishchandra Yojana applicable for all types of last rites?

Yes, Harishchandra Yojana is applicable for all types of last rites, including cremation, burial, donation, etc.

How to apply for Harishchandra Yojana online?

To apply for Harishchandra Yojana online, visit https://www.cmrfodisha.gov.in/, click on “Harischandra Sahayata Yojna”, enter your Aadhaar number or mobile number, fill in the application form, upload the required documents, and submit the form.

How to apply for Harishchandra Yojana offline?

To apply for Harishchandra Yojana offline, visit your nearest tehsil office or municipal office or any other designated authority, collect or download the application form, fill in the application form, attach the required documents, and submit the form.

What is the name of the online portal for Harishchandra Yojana?

The name of the online portal for Harishchandra Yojana is CMRF Portal.

What is the name of the department that implements Harishchandra Yojana?

The name of the department that implements Harishchandra Yojana is Revenue and Disaster Management Department of Odisha.

What is the name of the fund that monitors Harishchandra Yojana?

The name of the fund that monitors Harishchandra Yojana is Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).

Who is eligible for Harishchandra Yojana?

Any resident of Odisha who belongs to a poor or destitute family and has lost a family member is eligible for Harishchandra Yojana.

Who is not eligible for Harishchandra Yojana?

Any resident of Odisha who does not belong to a poor or destitute family or has not lost a family member is not eligible for Harishchandra Yojana.

What are the benefits of Harishchandra Yojana?

The benefits of Harishchandra Yojana are financial assistance for last rites, dignified farewell, prevention of pollution and health hazards, and promotion of social harmony and compassion.

What are the features of Harishchandra Yojana?

The features of Harishchandra Yojana are quick and easy application process, direct bank transfer or cheque payment, coverage of all categories of people, implementation by Revenue and Disaster Management Department, and monitoring by CMRF Portal.

What are the objectives of Harishchandra Yojana?

The objectives of Harishchandra Yojana are to provide financial assistance to the poor and destitute for conducting the last rites of their deceased family members, to ensure that every deceased person gets a dignified and respectful farewell, to prevent the disposal of dead bodies in an improper manner, and to promote social harmony and compassion among the people.

Please also check out other articles on this website like

Lek Ladki Yojana
Kuvarbai Nu Mameru Yojana
Ambedkar-Vasati-Yojana

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