The Government of West Bengal has launched the Somobyathi scheme in 2016. It is a scheme of the West Bengal State Government to provide financial assistance to poor for the performance of the rites and rituals and to meet incidental expenses related to cremation/burial, to the next of kin / nearest family members of the deceased person. It is a one-time financial assistance and will be provided to the next of kin, and if not available, to the nearest family member of the deceased person, who will apply with necessary cremation/Burial Certificate at the time of cremation/burial, as the case may be. Nodal Department and Agency: Panchayat and Rural Development Department will act as the Nodal Department in Panchayat areas and Municipal Affairs Department will act as the Nodal Department in Urban areas of the State.

Objective:
To provide a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 2000/- in each such case, for the performance of the rites and rituals and to meet incidental expenses related to cremation/burial, to the next of kin / nearest family members of the deceased person.

Nodal Department and Agency:
Panchayat and Rural Development Department will act as the Nodal Department in Panchayat areas and Municipal Affairs Department will act as the Nodal Department in Urban areas of the State.

Eligibility:
The schemes will be applicable to the people from poor families, living in the State of West Bengal and where the cremation / burial takes place at Crematoriums, Burning Ghats, Burial grounds etc. situated within the State of West Bengal.


The assistance will be provided to the next of kin, and if not available, to the nearest family member of the deceased person, who will apply with necessary cremation/Burial Certificate at the time of cremation/burial, as the case may be.