Senior Citizens Invited to Apply for ‘Mukhyamantri Tirtha Darshan Yojana’

Mumbai : The ‘Mukhyamantri Tirtha Darshan Yojana’ has been launched by the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance for senior citizens aged 60 years or older from all religions in the state. The scheme includes a total of 73 pilgrimage sites in India and 66 pilgrimage sites within Maharashtra. As part of this initiative, free pilgrimage journeys are available for senior citizens of the state. The Department of Social Justice encourages seniors to submit their applications to the Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare Office of their respective district to benefit from this scheme.

Nature of the Benefit

Under this scheme, eligible individuals selected through a lottery based on district-wise quotas can avail themselves of the pilgrimage benefit once per year to one of the designated pilgrimage sites. The scheme covers all aspects of travel, including transportation, food, and accommodation, with a maximum travel expense limit of ₹30,000 per person.

Eligibility Criteria

• Beneficiaries must be residents of Maharashtra.
• Applicants must be aged 60 years or older.
• The annual income of the beneficiary’s family should not exceed ₹2,50,000.
• A family member should not be an income tax payer.

Family members who are regular/permanent employees in government departments, undertakings, boards, the Government of India, local bodies of State Governments, or who receive a pension after retirement are not eligible for this scheme. However, outsourced employees, voluntary workers, and contract workers with an income up to ₹2,50,000 are eligible. The family member should not hold positions such as Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Director, or Board member of any government corporation or undertaking. Additionally, no four-wheeler vehicles (except tractors) should be registered in the name of the family members. The beneficiary should also be physically and mentally fit for travel.

For more information about the scheme, applicants should contact the Assistant Commissioner of their respective district’s Social Welfare Department at Social Justice Bhawan.