Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme

Mukhyamantri Tirtha Darshan Yojana has been launched to fulfill the desire of senior citizens aged 60 years or above to visit pilgrimage sites. Under this scheme, a grant of Rs. 30,000 per person will be provided for travel expenses. This scheme covers major pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra and across India. Eligible senior citizens can avail this benefit once for a pilgrimage to one of the designated sites. The grant will cover travel, food, and accommodation expenses.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Resident of Maharashtra state.
2. Senior citizens aged 60 years and above.
3. Annual family income not exceeding 2.5 lakh rupees.

Disqualification Criteria:

1. Families with income tax payers.
2. Family members working as permanent employees in government departments or receiving a pension.
3. Families with current or former MPs or MLAs.
4. Families owning four-wheeler vehicles (excluding tractors).
5. Sufferers of communicable diseases such as TB, respiratory diseases, coronary diseases, mental illness, infectious leprosy, etc.
6. Applicants must provide a recent (within 15 days) health fitness certificate from a government medical officer.
7. Applicants selected in the previous year’s lottery but did not travel.
8. Applicants found providing false information can be disqualified at any time.

Required Documents:

1. Online application.
2. Aadhaar Card, Ration Card.
3. Domicile Certificate or any of the four identity documents (Ration Card, Voter ID, School Leaving Certificate, Birth Certificate).
4. Income certificate or yellow/orange ration card.
5. Medical certificate.
6. Passport size photograph.
7. Mobile number of the next of kin.
8. Undertaking to comply with the scheme’s terms and conditions.

Selection Process:

1. Beneficiaries will be selected by a district-level committee through a lottery system if applications exceed the quota.
2. A waiting list will be maintained, and if selected passengers do not travel, those on the waiting list will be sent.
3. The selected list and waiting list will be published on the department portal and notice boards.
4. Only the selected individual can go on the pilgrimage; they cannot take others along.
5. In case one spouse is selected and the other is not, the Social Welfare Commissionerate in Pune may decide to allow both to travel together.

Travel Process:

1. The district-level committee will submit the list of selected passengers to the Commissioner of Social Welfare, Pune.
2. The list will be handed over to an authorized tourist company for travel arrangements.
3. The tourist company will manage the departure of the group.
4. The state government will decide on the necessary travel facilities.
5. Pilgrims must reach the departure point at their own expense.

Travel by Rail, Bus:

1. Passenger safety and health arrangements will be ensured by a committee constituted at the district level.
2. If a traveler needs to leave the journey midway, they will not receive such facilities from the Government. However, in special circumstances, they may do so at their own expense with the permission of the guide present.

Group of Passengers:

The trip will be conducted in groups determined by the State Government or the authorized agency. Pilgrimages will commence only once the minimum number of passengers, as prescribed by the government, is available.

Restrictions on Accompanying Travelers:

Only the selected person can travel under this scheme. They cannot take any other person on the journey, even if willing to pay the travel expenses. Each selected person will travel in their own seat or berth. Non-selected individuals, relatives, or children are not allowed to accompany the passenger during the journey.

Additional Expenses:

If a passenger wants to avail additional facilities beyond those provided by the temple and the department during the journey, they will bear the additional financial burden.

Application Process:

The application form for the scheme can be filled online through a portal, mobile app, or Setu Suvidha Kendra.

1. Eligible citizens can apply online for this scheme.
2. For those unable to submit the online application, assistance will be available at Setu Kendra.
3. The entire application process is free of cost.
4. The applicant must be present in person to have their photograph taken and KYC completed. They must bring a complete identity card (ration card) of the family and their Aadhaar card.

After receiving applications, the provisional list of eligible applicants will be published on the portal and app. In the event of the applicant’s death before the final list is published, their name will be removed from the beneficiary list.

Provisions for Travel with Spouse or Assistant:

1. Applicants over 75 years of age may bring a spouse or assistant, provided this is stated in their application.
2. An assistant may travel with the applicant even if the applicant’s spouse is under 60 years of age.
3. The assistant provision is only for applicants over 75 years of age who have applied for solo rail travel.
4. If both spouses are over 75 and an assistant is registered, the assistant may also travel.
5. Assistants must be between 21 and 50 years of age and physically fit for travel.
6. Passengers, spouses, and assistants must adhere to all travel-related guidelines.

Monitoring and Review Committee:

A state-level committee has been established to monitor and review this scheme. The Chairman is the Minister of Social Justice and Special Assistance, with the Minister of State as Vice Chairman. The Joint Secretary/Deputy Secretary of the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department will act as Member Secretary.

District Level Committee Composition:

1. Guardian Minister, President of the concerned district
2. Deputy Collector
3. Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad Member
4. Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chief Officer, Municipal Council Member
5. Commissioner of Police, District Superintendent of Police Member
6. District Surgeon Member
7. Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare Member Secretary