A publicity stunt has become a powerful tool in marketing and brand promotion. They can captivate audiences, generate buzz, and leave a lasting impression. This is what has been happening in Maharashtra for some time now. Schemes are being announced with a large amount of publicity. Atmosphere is created and later the file of the scheme gathers a lot of dust on the racks of Mantralaya.
Recently, the chief minister Eknath Shinde announced ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’, a pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens from all religions. The scheme is aimed at helping the elderly people who are unable to visit the religious sites on their own. For this new pilgrimage scheme, the state government has laid down the rules and regulations and eligibility to ‘Mukhyamantri Tirth Darshan Yojana’. As per these guidelines of this scheme, the senior citizens of poor families will be allowed to go on pilgrimage free of cost for once. GR pertaining to this has been issued.
The government has announced a scheme in the current budget. Chief Minister Shinde announced the full proof plan for the implementation of this Yojana. This will allow senior citizens to visit important pilgrimage sites in the country for free. GR has been issued by the Department of Social Justice. The government has selected 73 Pilgrimage sites over all India and 66 pilgrimage sites of Maharashtra. Almost all-important pilgrimage sites of the country and state have been included. Under this scheme an eligible person will get a one-time benefit of this scheme for one of the designated pilgrimage sites , also the maximum limit for travel expenses will be 30 thousand rupees per person including Accommodation. Annual income of the beneficiary should be 2 lakh 50 thousand. Beneficiary should be a resident of Maharashtra state and a senior citizen.
Online applications have to be submitted to avail the benefits of the scheme. Under the scheme, authorized tourist companies to organize bus travel and Indian Railway for train travel. For other services including hoteling IRCTC equivalent official companies will be selected. The selection of the passengers will be done by the district committee constituted at the district level. Similarly, the quota will be fixed for each district based on the population and the passengers will be selected through lottery based on the availability of applications received.
The government has made it clear that the free pilgrimage scheme is a part of the comprehensive pilgrimage policy for senior citizens from all religions who cannot afford it. The Mukhyamantri Teertha Darshan Yojana aims to enable senior citizens to undertake spiritual journeys with ease and comfort. States like Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhandand, Karnataka, and Union Territories (UTs), such as Delhi, also provide the free pilgrimage facility to holy sites for senior citizens aged 60 and above. Women get a two-year age relaxation. The government offers one-time assistance for this purpose. The scheme is part of a broader effort to support senior citizens socially, spiritually and financially in their respective home states.
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