In a significant move to broaden participation, the Goa government has announced a major revision to its popular Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan Yatra Yojana. The scheme, which facilitates pilgrimage tours for senior citizens, has now been made accessible to a wider age group through amended guidelines issued by the Directorate of Social Welfare.
Key Changes to Eligibility and Process
The most notable change is the adjustment in the age criterion. Eligible applicants must now be between 50 and 70 years of age. This marks a substantial shift from the previous rule, where the minimum age requirement was set at 60 years. This reduction is expected to include a larger segment of the population in the benefits of the spiritual tourism initiative.
Furthermore, the application process has been completely digitized. Interested individuals can now apply exclusively through online channels—either a dedicated web portal or a mobile application developed by the department. This move aims to streamline submissions and enhance accessibility.
Mandatory Documents and Group Travel
As part of the new online application, pilgrims are required to submit crucial self-declared documents. These include:
- A self-declaration confirming that the applicant has not availed benefits under this scheme in the past.
- A self-medical certificate stating that the applicant is physically and mentally fit to travel and is free from any communicable diseases.
The pilgrimage tours will be conducted as group journeys. Each group will comprise no fewer than 750 persons. The travel to various holy sites will be organized via train under packaged tours arranged through government-appointed operators.
Benefits and Oversight Committee
In a beneficiary-friendly provision, the revised scheme allows one attendant to accompany each applicant free of cost. This ensures that pilgrims who may require assistance can travel with support.
Oversight for the scheme will be rigorous. A sanctioning committee, headed by the Social Welfare Minister, will be responsible for reviewing applications. The committee will assess and approve applications on a trip-by-trip basis, as stated in the official notification, ensuring proper scrutiny for each planned pilgrimage.
This overhaul of the Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan Yatra Yojana reflects the state government's commitment to promoting spiritual tourism and social welfare. By lowering the age bar and simplifying the process, Goa aims to enable more of its residents to undertake sacred journeys with ease and dignity.
