6 more centres of pilgrimage included in Mukhyamantri Tirth-Darshan Yojana

Bhopal: As many as 2.50 lakh senior citizens have been given benefit of free journey to centres of pilgrimage under Mukhyamantri Tirth-Darshan Yojana in the state so far. On the lines of Madhya Pradesh’s scheme, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand have also implemented similar schemes.

During current year, about 1.50 lakh senior citizens will visit various centres of pilgrimages under the scheme. Now, Ayodhya, Mathura, Prayag, Ganga Sagar, St. Thomas Church Kerala and sant Kabir’s birthplace Lahartara have also been included in the scheme. This was informed at a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan here today. Chief Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa was also present on the occasion.

Shri Chouhan said that constant efforts should be made to further improve the scheme. Quality of food and other facilities provided to pilgrims during journeys should be tested from time to time. He said that special attention should be paid to security of senior citizens during journeys. Doctors should be present in the train. Efforts should be made Minister-level office-bearers of corporations/boards should also accompany pilgrims during journeys.

The meeting decided to increase grant for journey to Kailash Mansarovar from Rs. 30 thousand to Rs. 50 thousand. The meeting also decided to relax age-limit of disabled persons under the scheme. The meeting was informed that development blocks in districts and zones in cities have been made units. A gazetted officer is being sent with every journey. Under the scheme, pilgrims have been sent to centres of pilgrimage in 259 trains. Feedback is sought from pilgrims after every journey.

Principal Secretary Culture Shri Manoj Shrivastava and Principal Secretary to CM Shri S.K. Mishra also attended the meeting.