The objective of this scheme is to provide government assistance for pilgrimage for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PwDs), who are residents of Chhattisgarh pilgrimage sites outside the state once in a lifetime.
Tirth Barat Yojana - Introduction
The “Tirth Barat Yojana” was launched by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh on 4th December 2012. The objective of this scheme is to provide government assistance for pilgrimage to the senior citizens (60 years & above) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), who are residents of Chhattisgarh, to visit one or more of the various designated pilgrimage sites outside the state, once in their lifetime.
- Under this scheme, 80% of the beneficiaries will be from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, including cardholders of the Antyodaya and Chief Minister Food Grain Schemes. The remaining 20% will be senior citizens and disabled individuals above the poverty line who are not income taxpayers.
- Of the total beneficiaries, 25% will be from urban areas, while 75% will be from rural areas.
Benefits
Under the scheme, the state government provides an opportunity for senior citizens (60 years and above) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to visit one or more designated pilgrimage sites outside the state.
This assistance is available once in their lifetime.
List of Pilgrimage Sites:
- Ujjain, Omkareshwar
- Puri, Bhubaneswar
- Haridwar, Rishikesh
- Mathura, Vrindavan
- Prayag, Kashi
- Shirdi, Shani Shingnapur, Trimbakeshwar
- Vaishno Devi, Jammu
- Amritsar, Golden Temple
- Tirupati, Madurai, Rameshwaram
- Ajmer Sharif, Fatehpur (Dargah of Chishti)
- Baba Baidyanath Dham
- Dakshineswar, Kalighat, Gangasagar
- Dwarka, Somnath, Nageshwar
- Sammed Shikharji
- Shravanabelagola
- Velankanni Church, Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu)
- Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Nalanda
- Kamakhya Temple, Navagraha Temple, Vashishtha Muni Ashram, Umananda Temple, Shivaji Temple, Shankar Dev Kala Kshetra-Guwahati
- Sabari Mala, Guruvayur, Ettumanoor Temple
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a native of Chhattisgarh.
- The applicant must be either a senior citizen or a person with a disability (including visual impairment, deaf-mute, hearing impairment, or locomotor disabilities).
- Senior citizens must be 60 years of age or older.
- Persons with disabilities must be 18 years of age or older.
- The applicant must not have previously travelled under this scheme.
- The applicant must not be an income taxpayer.
- The applicant must be physically and mentally able to travel.
- The applicant must not be suffering from any infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, congestive heart disease, respiratory obstruction-related diseases, coronary insufficiency, coronary thrombosis, mental illness, leprosy, etc.
Groups of Pilgrims:
- The journey will be conducted only in groups. The groups will be determined by the government or an authority/agency authorized by the government. The journey to any pilgrimage place will commence only when the minimum number of passengers determined by the government is available. Mere selection under the scheme does not oblige the government to arrange a journey for any person.
Restrictions on other persons travelling:
- Only the person selected to travel under this scheme is permitted to go on the journey. They should not bring any additional person with them, even if that person is willing to cover the journey expenses. Only the selected individuals are allowed to travel in trains and vehicles, and each seat/berth will be occupied by only one person.
Regarding additional expenses:
- If anyone, during the journey, wants to avail of facilities in addition to the norms/facilities prescribed by the government, they will have to pay for the same themselves.
Expectations from the pilgrims during the trip:
- Pilgrims must not carry any flammable substance or intoxicating substance in any form.
- Pilgrims must not bring jewelry or similar items with them.
- Pilgrims should conduct themselves with dignity so that the state's image is not adversely affected.
- Pilgrims must follow the instructions of their designated contact officer.
Application Process
The concerned beneficiaries will submit their application forms in the prescribed format to Gram Panchayat/District Panchayat/Deputy Director, Panchayat and Social Welfare of their respective District.
- Note 1: The selection of beneficiaries from the received applications will be done through a lottery system conducted by the Collector.
- Note 2: If the name of any disabled applicant’s spouse is selected, the partner will also be able to go on the journey. At the time of applying, the applicant must attach the life partner’s application along with their own.
- Note 3: Five or more disabled people can apply as a group. The entire group will be considered as one application and will be included in the lottery. It is mandatory for every disabled pilgrim to be accompanied by an assistant on the pilgrimage. The assistant should be close to the disabled person or someone of their choice.
- Note 4: A person above 65 years of age who has applied to travel alone is eligible to take one assistant with them on the journey. For a group of 3 to 5 persons, each above 65 years, one assistant may accompany the group. In large groups, assistants are recognized at a rate of one per 5 passengers. There is no facility to take an assistant if the spouse is traveling together and one of them is below 65 years. This does not apply to persons with disabilities.
- Note 5: If the name of any applicant’s spouse is selected, their life partner will also be able to accompany them on the journey. Even if the life partner is under 60 years, they may travel with the applicant. The applicant must state that their life partner is willing to travel. The life partner’s application must also be attached. If an assistant is eligible, the assistant’s application must be submitted as well. This does not apply to persons with disabilities.
- Note 6: If a group of individuals applies together, the entire group will be considered as one application and included in the lottery. The group can have up to 25 applicants. One applicant will be the head of the group; applications of all other members must be attached to the head’s application. If members are eligible for helpers, the helpers’ applications must also be attached. The total number of people, including assistants, must not exceed 25. This does not apply to persons with disabilities.
- Note 7: The envelope in which the application form is sent should be labeled “Application for a visit to the place under Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana Year _____, the year in which the pilgrimage place is being applied for.” That should be mentioned.
- Note 8: The applicant must also mention the names and other particulars of any two nominees who can be contacted immediately in case of an emergency, in the prescribed space in the application form. It is necessary to provide the mobile number of at least one nominee.