Haryana Government announces Tirtha Darshan scheme for senior citizens

The Chief Minister of Haryana Manohar Lal Khattar on 6 March 2017 announced the Tirtha Darshan Scheme. Under the scheme, senior citizens above 60 years of age in the State will be able to go on a pilgrimage within India at the expense of the government.

The announcement was made by Khattar while replying to the discussion on the Governor’s address during the budget session of the State Assembly.

Features of Tirtha Darshan Scheme

• Under the scheme, the State government will bear the entire cost of the tour of senior citizens belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

• Couples belonging to the BPL category are also covered under the scheme.

• In case of senior citizens of non-BPL families, the State government would bear only 70 per cent of the total cost.

• The beneficiaries of the scheme will be selected on the basis of a lottery system.

• Under the scheme, over 400 destinations can be visited. However, the maximum number of pilgrims is capped at 250 per year.

• Selection of pilgrims will be made by a district committee headed by an officer of the deputy commissioner rank.

• The tour packages include journey in sleeper class by chartered train and night accommodation on multi-sharing basis.