Chief Minister Pilgrimage Scheme: Fulfilling the Spiritual Aspirations of Senior Citizens in Maharashtra

The “Chief Minister Pilgrimage Scheme” has been launched to fulfill the desire of senior citizens aged 60 and above, from all religions, to visit holy sites. Under this scheme, each eligible individual will receive a travel grant of up to ₹30,000. Let’s learn more about this scheme.

This scheme includes major pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra and India. Eligible individuals can avail of this scheme once for a pilgrimage to one of the designated sites. The maximum travel grant is ₹30,000 per person, covering travel expenses, meals, accommodation, and other related costs. This scheme is available to senior citizens aged 60 and above who reside in Maharashtra.

Eligibility Criteria:

• The beneficiary must be a resident of Maharashtra.
• The beneficiary must be a senior citizen aged 60 or above.
• The annual income of the beneficiary’s family should not exceed ₹2.5 lakh.

Ineligibility Criteria:

• Families with a member who is an income tax payer.
• Families with a member employed as a regular/permanent employee in a government department, enterprise, board, local institution under the Government of India or Maharashtra, or receiving a pension after retirement. However, employees working on a contract basis, through external agencies, or as volunteers with an income up to ₹2.5 lakh will be eligible.
• Families with a current or former Member of Parliament (MP) or Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
• Families with a member who is the chairman, vice-chairman, or director of a board, corporation, or enterprise under the Government of India or Maharashtra.
• Families that own a four-wheeled vehicle (excluding tractors) registered in the name of a family member.
• Individuals suffering from infectious diseases such as TB, respiratory or heart diseases, coronary insufficiency, coronary thrombosis, mental illness, or contagious leprosy.
• Applicants who were selected in the lottery for the previous year but did not complete the pilgrimage after being invited will not be eligible.

Applicants must submit a health certificate issued by a government medical officer stating that the senior citizen is physically fit and capable of undertaking the proposed travel. This certificate should not be older than 15 days from the date of travel. If it is found that the applicant has provided false information or concealed facts that disqualify them from travel, they may be denied the benefits of the scheme at any time. The government may revise the eligibility and ineligibility criteria as necessary.

Required Documents:

• Online application for the scheme.
• Beneficiary’s Aadhaar card, ration card.
• Residence certificate of Maharashtra or birth certificate issued in Maharashtra. If the beneficiary does not have a residence certificate, any of the following four documents issued 15 years ago: ration card, voter ID, school leaving certificate, birth certificate, will be accepted.
• Income certificate of the head of the family issued by a competent authority (annual income must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh) or a yellow/orange ration card.
• Medical certificate.
• Passport-sized photo.
• Mobile number of a close relative.
• An affidavit ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the scheme.

Selection of Beneficiaries:

The selection of travelers will be carried out by a district-level committee established at the district level.

• A district-wise quota will be set. If more applications are received than the prescribed quota, a lottery will be held to select the travelers.
• If a selected traveler is unable to go, a person on the waiting list can be sent in their place.
• The selected travelers and the waiting list will be published on the department’s portal, at the District Collector’s office, the notice board of the Assistant Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department, and other appropriate media.
• Only the selected person can go on the pilgrimage. They will not be allowed to take anyone else with them.
• If both husband and wife have applied separately and only one is selected in the lottery, the Commissioner, Social Welfare Commissionerate, Pune may decide whether to send both of them on the pilgrimage.

Travel Process:

• The district-level committee will submit the list of selected travelers to the Commissioner, Social Welfare, Pune.
• The list of selected travelers will be handed over to the authorized travel company/agency for travel arrangements.
• The authorized travel company/agency will arrange the departure of the group of travelers.
• The state government will decide on the necessary facilities for travelers.
• All pilgrims must reach the designated travel site at their own expense.

Travel by Train or Bus:

The district-level committee will ensure arrangements for the safety and health of travelers during the journey. If a traveler wishes to leave midway through the journey, no facility will be provided by the government, and they must bear the cost themselves with permission from the accompanying guide.

Travel Group:

• This pilgrimage will be organized as a group. The group will be determined by the state government or an authorized agency. The pilgrimage will commence only when the minimum number of travelers specified by the government is met.

Restrictions on Other Travelers:

• Only the selected individual can travel under this scheme. Even if they are willing to bear the travel cost, they cannot take anyone else with them. Only the selected individuals will travel by train or vehicle, with one person per seat/berth.
• No unselected individuals, relatives, or children will be allowed to accompany the traveler during the pilgrimage.

Additional Costs:

• If a traveler wishes to avail of other facilities during the pilgrimage apart from those specified by the government, the additional financial burden will be the traveler’s responsibility.

Application Process:

Applications for the scheme can be filled online through the portal, mobile app, or Setu service centers.

• Eligible citizens can apply for this scheme online.
• For those unable to submit the application online, the facility will be available at Setu centers.
• The entire application process is free of charge.
• Applicants must visit the above-mentioned locations in person for direct photo capture and KYC. They must bring the complete identification document of the family (ration card) and their own Aadhaar card.
• After receiving the application, a temporary list of eligible applicants will be published on the portal/app. If an applicant from the final eligible list passes away, their name will be removed from the beneficiary list.

Provisions for Traveling with Spouse or Assistant for Applicants Above 75 Years:

• Applicants above 75 years of age will be allowed to bring either their spouse or an assistant with them. However, the applicant must specify in their application that their spouse or assistant is also willing to travel.
• If the spouse of an applicant over 75 years old is under 60 years old, they can still travel as an assistant.
• The option to bring an assistant will only be available when the applicant is over 75 years old and has applied to travel by train alone. If the applicant is under 75 years old, no assistant will be allowed.
• If both husband and wife are over 75 years old and an assistant is registered in the application, they can travel together.
• The assistant must be at least 21 years old and no more than 50 years old. If an assistant is taken on the journey, they will receive the same facilities as the traveler. The assistant must be physically fit and healthy for the journey.
• The traveler, spouse, and assistant must comply with all travel-related guidelines.

A state-level committee has been formed to monitor and review this scheme, chaired by the Minister of Social Justice and Special Assistance. The Vice-Chairperson will be the Minister of State, and the Joint Secretary/Deputy Secretary of the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department will be the Member Secretary.

Structure of the District-Level Committee:

• Chairperson: Guardian Minister of the respective district.
• Vice-Chairperson: District Collector.
• Members: Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Chief Officer, Municipal Council, Police Commissioner, District Police Superintendent, District Civil Surgeon.
• Member Secretary: Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare.