Govt to launch e-CARe website for families of Indians who die abroad
Govt to launch e-CARe website for families of Indians who die abroad: The Union government will launch a Portal called e-CARe (e-Clearance for Interlife Remains) on August 3rd, 2023, to facilitate the speedy repatriation of bodies of Indians who die abroad. e-CARe stands for e-Clearance for Interlife Remains and aims to avoid the delay in transporting dead human bodies to the international borders and take them to their native land through appropriate measures and hand over their bodies to their families.
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About the portal
Nodal officers from the Airport Health Organisation (APHO) will be monitoring the portal 24X7. They will be responsible for the scrutiny of the applications and approvals. There will also be an alert-based system which will help officials track the applications. The nodal officer will be based in Delhi and reviews have to be done in a time-bound manner. Approval to the application shall be given within 48 hours.
The Process
According to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the applicant must submit scanned copies of four documents: the deceased’s death certificate, embalming certificate, no-objection certificate (NOC) from an Indian embassy or consulate, and the deceased’s cancelled passport.
At present, one needs an e-mail based clearance from the Airport Health Officer (APHO) to transport the mortal remains of a loved one from another country. The request has to be made through the transporting airlines. Further, there is delay in the existing system as clarification is sought by various agencies involved in the approval process who work separately. There is also a delay on account of international time zones.
However, in the e-CARe model, once an application for transportation of mortal remains is made, intimation will be sent via email, SMS as well as WhatsApp to the Central International Health Division, Nodal Officer, APHOs, consignees and the airlines for timely action.
Furthermore, the applicant and other stakeholders, including the airline in question, will be able to view the status via the e-CARe portal by entering their registration number. Furthermore, anyone can apply for transporting of the mortal remains including the family members of the deceased and become the consignee not just the airlines.