Chhattisgarh: Sai govt launches free Ayodhya pilgrimage scheme

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government has decided to launch a 'free pilgrimage to Ayodhya' scheme.

Under the scheme, 20,000 people from the state will be sent to Ayodhya Ram temple on pilgrimage every year.

The scheme, christened as ‘Ramlala Darshan, was cleared by state cabinet, met under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai here late on Wednesday, an official spokesman said on Thursday.

“With the decision, another guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being fulfilled for the people of Chhattisgarh”, a press release issued by the state government said.

The scheme will be implemented by Chhattisgarh tourism board and the budget will be provided by the state tourism department.

Under the scheme, residents of Chhattisgarh in the age group of 18 to 75, who are found fit after medical examination, will be considered eligible for pilgrimage to Ayodhya for ‘darshan’ of ‘Ramlala’.

Disabled people, chosen as the beneficiaries under the scheme, will be allowed to accompany a member of their family.

The scheme envisages the constitution of ‘Shri Ramlala Darshan Committee’ in every district in the state under the chairmanship of the local collector.

The distance to be covered under this trip to Ayodhya will be approximately 900 kms, for which an MoU will be signed between Chhattisgarh tourism board and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

IRCTC will ensure arrangements for security, health, food, sightseeing, local transport and escort to the passengers during the journey.

Arrangement for the commute of the beneficiaries under the scheme from their residences to the designated railway stations and back will be made by the district collector concerned.