Shinde announces pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens

Mumbai: A day after announcing several sops for women and farmers, the Eknath Shinde government on Saturday announced “Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana'' for senior citizens. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made this announcement in response to a demand made by ruling parties’ legislators through a calling attention motion. The scheme will help elderly people who are unable to visit the pilgrimage sites on their own, he said.

Shiv Sena MLA Pratap Sarniak moved the calling attention motion stating that Maharashtra is considered as the land of saints and a Warkari (pilgrims going to Pandharpur) tradition. He demanded that the state government should start a scheme for senior citizens and include pilgrimage sites of all religions in it.

“Several senior citizens are unable to fulfil their dream of going on a pilgrimage owing to financial restrictions. Even if funds are not an issue, either they do not have anyone to accompany them, or are unaware of how to go for the pilgrimage,” Mr. Sarnaik said.

The ruling parties’ legislators Ram Kadam, Prakash Surve, Devyani Farhande, Manisha Chaudhari among others supported the demand. Mr. Surve also urged to include shrines and pilgrimage sites of Hindu, Christian, Sikh, Budh and Jain religions under this scheme. Mr. Kadam demanded inclusion of Kedarnath Yatra and Gangotri yatra.

Replying to the motion, the CM announced ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’, a scheme for senior citizens to visit the pilgrimage sites. The scheme will be started in the state to facilitate the senior citizens to embark on pilgrimages.

“We will start Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana. For this, we will chalk out a policy and draft rules. We will have to fix a certain number for people each year. It could be for 5,000 to 10,000 senior citizens each year,” Mr. Shinde said.

The CM also said that online applications would be invited for implementing this scheme. He assured that the scheme will be implemented immediately.