FREE PILGRIMAGE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS FROM JULY
Monday, 21 March 2016 | PNS | BHUBANESWAR | in BhubaneswarSenior citizens in the State would have a fully free pilgrimage to at least one of the three destinations of the country as per a decision of the State Government.
The programme, Barishta Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY), would start from the first week of July with the destinations being the circuits of Rameswaram-Madurai, Haridwar-Rishikesh and Allahabad-Varanasi.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi on Saturday chaired a meeting, which deliberated in details about the programme being taken up in collaboration with the Indian Railway Catering and Travel Corporation (IRCTC).
Tourism Principal Secretary GK Dhal made a power-point presentation, while Tourism Director and OTDC Managing Director Nitin B Jawale and other senior officers were present.
In each trip of the BNTYY, there would be 1,000 pilgrims, who would be selected on the basis of applications. If there are more applications, there would be lottery at the Revenue Divisional Commissioner level.
Pilgrims would be travelling in the trains with the IRCTC's coordination. The IRCTC would also provide unarmed security and depute senior officials for the benefit of the pilgrims.
The pilgrims would be provided free breakfast, lunch and dinner and also accommodation at the destination. Each train would be having doctors, paramedical staffs, security staffs, guides and cooks.
At the destination, they would be provided bus service to cover the places of interest. The IRCTC would provide travel insurance to the pilgrims.
The pilgrims would be given Rs 1,000-free kit containing soap, comb, a towel, a bed-sheet, oil, etc., for their daily consumption. They would b
A private agency would be roped in for this purpose, said sources.
An MoU would be signed with the IRCTC for operation of the programme. The State Department of Tourism would fund the entire package and depute responsible officers to coordinate the trip. The cost would be around Rs 45 crore per annum, said the sources.
Other State Governments like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand also organise such programmes for senior citizens.
The programme, Barishta Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY), would start from the first week of July with the destinations being the circuits of Rameswaram-Madurai, Haridwar-Rishikesh and Allahabad-Varanasi.
Chief Secretary AP Padhi on Saturday chaired a meeting, which deliberated in details about the programme being taken up in collaboration with the Indian Railway Catering and Travel Corporation (IRCTC).
Tourism Principal Secretary GK Dhal made a power-point presentation, while Tourism Director and OTDC Managing Director Nitin B Jawale and other senior officers were present.
In each trip of the BNTYY, there would be 1,000 pilgrims, who would be selected on the basis of applications. If there are more applications, there would be lottery at the Revenue Divisional Commissioner level.
Pilgrims would be travelling in the trains with the IRCTC's coordination. The IRCTC would also provide unarmed security and depute senior officials for the benefit of the pilgrims.
The pilgrims would be provided free breakfast, lunch and dinner and also accommodation at the destination. Each train would be having doctors, paramedical staffs, security staffs, guides and cooks.
At the destination, they would be provided bus service to cover the places of interest. The IRCTC would provide travel insurance to the pilgrims.
The pilgrims would be given Rs 1,000-free kit containing soap, comb, a towel, a bed-sheet, oil, etc., for their daily consumption. They would b
e brought from their native places to a boarding point, and from there they would be assisted with details about the destination.A private agency would be roped in for this purpose, said sources.
An MoU would be signed with the IRCTC for operation of the programme. The State Department of Tourism would fund the entire package and depute responsible officers to coordinate the trip. The cost would be around Rs 45 crore per annum, said the sources.
Other State Governments like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand also organise such programmes for senior citizens.
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