General Surgery Scheme (P.B.O.C.W.W.B) is a welfare scheme by the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. It gives cash support of up to ₹50,000 to registered construction workers for general surgical procedures needed by them or their dependent family members.
As of August 2026, the scheme continues to accept fresh applications through the official BOCW portal and nearby Sewa Kendras. Registered workers in Punjab can use this support to cover treatment costs of general surgery without worrying about the hospital bill.
General Surgery Scheme (P.B.O.C.W.W.B) - Introduction
The scheme is managed by the BOCW Welfare Board under the Department of Labour, Punjab. The board pays the approved amount for general surgery of a registered beneficiary and his or her eligible family members.
The amount is given after the surgery is done and the hospital bills are submitted. This reduces the money pressure on construction workers, who mostly work without a regular income or health cover.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | General Surgery Scheme (P.B.O.C.W.W.B) |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary | Registered construction workers and family |
| State | Punjab |
| Category | Health and Wellness |
| Department | Department of Labour |
| Financial Benefit | Up to ₹50,000 |
| Application Mode | Through Sewa Kendra or Labour Inspector |
| Official Website | bocw.punjab.gov.in |
Benefits of General Surgery Scheme
The main benefit of this scheme is cash support for general surgery. A registered member can claim up to ₹50,000 or the actual expenses spent on the surgery, whichever amount is lower.
The amount covers approved treatment in a government or private hospital. If the hospital bill is less than ₹50,000, the worker gets back the actual amount spent. The approval limit is fixed by the Civil Surgeon.
Besides this surgery support, registered families in Punjab can also check Punjab Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana for broader health cover.
Eligibility for General Surgery Scheme
To get the surgery benefit, you must first be a registered member of the BOCW Welfare Board. The board registers construction workers on the following conditions:
- Punjab resident - You should be a resident of Punjab.
- Construction worker - You should be doing building or other construction work as an unorganised worker.
- Age limit - Your age should be between 18 and 60 years.
- Work days - You should have worked in construction for at least 90 days during the last year.
- Income limit - Your monthly income should be ₹15,000 or less.
- No other fund - You should not be a member of any other welfare fund or a contributor to EPF, NPS, or ESIC.
- Income tax - You should not be an income tax payer.
After registration, the surgery support is given only when these conditions are met:
- Active membership - You should be a registered member of the board and keep paying the monthly contribution regularly.
- Eligible family - The surgery should be for you or for an eligible dependent family member.
- Approved procedure - The surgery should be a general surgical procedure approved under the scheme.
Application Process
You can apply for the scheme in the offline mode through any Sewa Kendra or the Labour Inspector of your area. The steps below explain both the worker registration and the scheme application.
STEP 1 - If you are not registered yet, download the worker registration Form No. 28 from the official BOCW portal or collect it from the nearest Sewa Kendra. Fill it and attach your age proof, residence proof, and Aadhaar card.
STEP 2 - Submit the filled Form No. 28 to the Labour Inspector of your area along with the registration fee of ₹25 (one time) and the monthly contribution of ₹10. After this, you become a beneficiary of the board.
STEP 3 - After the surgery is done, download the surgical assistance Form No. 41 from the district government page for General Surgery Scheme or collect it from the Sewa Kendra. Attach the medical certificate, hospital bills, discharge summary, and bank details.
STEP 4 - Submit the filled Form No. 41 to your area's Labour Inspector or the nearest Sewa Kendra for approval. The board checks the documents and pays the approved amount, up to ₹50,000, into your bank account.
To check the registration or scheme application status, use the official BOCW portal. You can download your registration card from the same portal after login.
Documents Required
Keep these documents ready before applying for registration or the surgery benefit:
- Age proof or self-declaration.
- Residence proof of Punjab.
- Aadhaar card.
- Bank passbook copy with IFSC code.
- Dependent details with nomination Form No. 27.
- Employer certificate (Form No. 28) confirming 90 days of construction work.
- Medical certificate for the surgery, discharge summary, and proof of expenses or bills.
Helpdesk and Contact Details
For doubts about the scheme or the online portal, registered workers can contact the Punjab BOCW Welfare Board directly. The board office is at Labour Bhawan Model Welfare Centre, Phase 10, Sector 64, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, Punjab, 160062.
Phone support is available at +91 172-2540125 from Monday to Friday, 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM. More contact details are shared on the BOCW board contact page.
References
For detailed scheme rules, eligibility conditions, and form formats, refer to these official sources:
Official scheme guidelines PDF from the Punjab BOCW board explains the General Surgery Scheme along with other welfare schemes.
For the application form details, check the General Surgery Scheme page on the Fazilka district website. The official portal at bocw.punjab.gov.in is the main source for status checks and downloads.
FAQ's
Who is treated as a family member under this scheme?
Family means the husband or wife, minor sons (major sons only if they are disabled or unable to earn), unmarried daughters, and dependent parents of the registered worker.
What is the benefit amount for general surgery?
A registered worker can claim up to ₹50,000 for general surgery expenses. If the actual hospital bill is lower than ₹50,000, the amount actually spent is paid back after approval.
Can a private hospital be used for the surgery?
Yes. The scheme allows treatment in a private doctor or private hospital. The expenses are paid back up to the limit approved by the Civil Surgeon, capped at ₹50,000.
What should be done first before applying to this scheme?
You should first use the health cover available under Punjab's Bhagat Puran Singh Sehat Beema Yojana. If any treatment costs remain after that, you can apply for support under this General Surgery Scheme.
Where should the application be submitted?
Fill Form No. 41 and submit it to the local Labour Inspector or the nearest Sewa Kendra of your area.