West Bengal government runs the Medical Expenses Treatment for Major Ailments Including Surgery scheme through the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board under the Labour Department. Registered construction workers and their dependents can get financial help for serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, kidney ailments, tuberculosis, eye disease, leprosy, and nerve disease. The scheme covers treatment costs up to ₹20,000 per year and can go up to ₹60,000 for major surgeries involving the heart or kidneys.
Construction workers in West Bengal who have registered with the BOCW Welfare Board can apply for this medical assistance. The board has over 35 lakh registered workers as of 2026. Registration requires the worker to be between 18 and 60 years old, a resident of West Bengal, and have worked at least 90 days in construction during the previous year. A yearly subscription of ₹30 keeps the membership active.
Medical Expenses Treatment for Major Ailments Including Surgery
The Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board manages this welfare scheme for registered workers and their families. If you or a listed dependent is suffering from any of the covered conditions, you can submit Form-XI along with medical documents to your local Assistant Labour Commissioner office. The board reviews the case and sanctions the grant based on the treatment needed. For complex surgeries related to heart or kidney conditions, the board may approve a higher amount up to ₹60,000.
Who Can Register as a Construction Worker
To become a registered member of the board, you need to meet these conditions:
- You must be a resident of West Bengal.
- You should be currently working as a building or construction worker.
- Your age should be between 18 and 60 years.
- You must have worked in construction for at least 90 days in the last 12 months.
Who Can Apply for Medical Assistance
Once registered, you can apply for medical help if:
- You are an active registered member of the West Bengal BOCW Welfare Board.
- You or your listed dependent is suffering from cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, TB, eye disease, leprosy, or nerve disease.
Benefits You Can Get
The scheme provides financial support for medical treatment costs. You can receive up to ₹20,000 per year for treatment of major ailments. If you or your dependent needs surgery for critical conditions like heart or kidney disease, the board can sanction up to ₹60,000. The assistance covers hospital bills, pharmacy costs, and other treatment expenses. The board also runs other benefits like accidental benefit up to ₹10,000, disability benefit up to ₹50,000, TB patient assistance of ₹6,000 per year, maternity benefit of ₹6,000, death benefit of ₹50,000, accidental death benefit of ₹1,50,000, and a monthly pension of ₹750 for eligible members.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Medical Expenses Treatment for Major Ailments Including Surgery |
| Run By | West Bengal Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board |
| Department | Labour Department, Government of West Bengal |
| Beneficiaries | Registered construction workers and their dependents |
| Treatment Grant | Up to ₹20,000 per year |
| Surgery Grant | Up to ₹60,000 for heart/kidney surgery |
| Application Mode | Offline (Form-XI at Labour Office) |
| Registration Fee | ₹20 (one-time) + ₹30 yearly subscription |
| Official Portal | bocwwb.wb.gov.in |
| Helpline | Shramik Sathi: 1800-103-0009 |
How to Apply for Medical Assistance
STEP 1 – Make sure you are already registered with the BOCW Welfare Board. If not, get Form-27 from your local Assistant Labour Commissioner or Beneficiary Registering Officer, fill it out, attach self-attested documents, and submit it with a ₹20 registration fee and ₹30 first-year subscription.
STEP 2 – Once registered, get Form-XI from the same office for the medical assistance application. Fill in the details about the patient, the illness, and the treatment needed.
STEP 3 – Attach all required medical documents including the medical certificate from the treating doctor, hospital bills, pharmacy bills, your member identity card, and dependency certificate if applying for a family member.
STEP 4 – Submit the completed Form-XI with all attachments to the Assistant Labour Commissioner or Beneficiary Registering Officer. Keep the acknowledgment receipt for reference.
Documents Needed
For registration, you need four passport-sized photographs and an attested copy of your age proof. For medical assistance, you must submit your member identity card, a dependency or heirship certificate if applying for a dependent, a formal medical certificate from the doctor, copies of all hospital and pharmacy bills, and any other documents the officials ask for.
References
Labour Department Welfare Board Benefits Page | BOCW Welfare Board Official Portal
FAQ’s
What is the age limit for registration?
You must be between 18 and 60 years old to register as a construction worker.
How many days of work are required?
You must have worked at least 90 days in construction during the previous 12 months.
What is the medical grant amount?
Up to ₹20,000 per year for treatment, and up to ₹60,000 for major surgeries like heart or kidney operations.
Can I apply online?
The application process is currently offline. You need to submit Form-XI at your local Labour Office.
What happens if I don’t renew my registration?
Your registration gets cancelled after one year. You can submit a fresh renewal application with Form-27A and ₹30 fee to the Assistant Labour Commissioner for consideration.
Is there a helpline for queries?
Yes, call the Shramik Sathi helpline at 1800-103-0009 for help.
Which illnesses are covered?
Cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, tuberculosis, eye disease, leprosy, and nerve disease are covered under this scheme.