Odisha Government Reprimands District Collectors Over Sluggish Progress in Jagannath Pilgrimage Scheme
The Odisha state government has issued a stern warning to district collectors across the state regarding the disappointingly slow progress in securing consent from eligible beneficiaries for the upcoming Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana (SJDY). This ambitious scheme, which promises to fulfill the spiritual aspirations of economically disadvantaged senior citizens, is facing implementation hurdles due to administrative delays.
Scheme Details and Eligibility Criteria
Announced in November of last year, the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana is designed to provide comprehensive support for elderly pilgrims. The scheme offers free transportation, accommodation, and food to poor senior citizens from rural areas, enabling them to undertake a pilgrimage to the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri. This initiative specifically targets individuals aged between 60 and 75 years, as well as widows up to the age of 75, who are already enrolled under the state's existing old-age and widow pension schemes.
State officials have repeatedly emphasized that written consent is absolutely mandatory for beneficiaries to avail themselves of these facilities. Without this formal agreement, individuals cannot be included in the program roster. To streamline the process, revised operational guidelines have already been disseminated to district authorities, outlining the necessary steps for smooth execution.
Government's Stern Communication and Directives
In a strongly worded letter dated January 27, the state tourism department expressed its dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs. The communication stated, "Despite earlier instructions to collect consent during pension distribution on January 15, 2026, progress has remained unsatisfactory in most districts." This bureaucratic sluggishness has prompted the department to take immediate corrective action.
The tourism department has now directed district collectors to personally monitor and expedite the consent collection process. Additionally, district social security officers have been instructed to take prompt and decisive measures to accelerate progress. A senior tourism official explained the scheme's noble objective, stating, "The SJDY seeks to fulfil the long-cherished dream of economically weaker senior citizens and widows of visiting the holy shrine of Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu at Puri. The government will bear all travel, lodging and food expenses."
Projected Benefits and Long-Term Vision
According to official estimates, the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana is expected to benefit approximately 5,000 individuals during the 2025-26 fiscal year, with this number projected to rise dramatically to 30,000 beneficiaries in 2026-27. The scheme is planned to remain operational until the 2028-29 financial year, with an ambitious statewide target of around 1,00,000 beneficiaries over its implementation period.
The official further elaborated on the scheme's inclusive nature, noting, "The scheme ensures that age, distance or financial constraints do not prevent devotees from experiencing the divine darshan of Lord Jagannath." This initiative represents a significant step toward making religious pilgrimage accessible to all segments of society, regardless of economic circumstances.
Public Response and Existing Pilgrimage Framework
Senior citizens across Odisha have welcomed the proposed scheme and are urging the government to roll it out at the earliest opportunity. Ramamani Mahapatra, an elderly devotee from Bhubaneswar, shared her perspective, saying, "In view of the massive rush on most days, we avoid temple visits. If the government unveils the project soon and facilitates our darshan, it will be a blessing for us." This sentiment echoes the feelings of many elderly residents who face practical challenges in undertaking pilgrimages.
It is worth noting that Odisha already has a similar pilgrimage facility for elderly citizens that has been operational since 2016-17. Known as the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana, this program enables senior citizens to travel to various pilgrimage destinations across India. This existing scheme is implemented through a collaborative effort between the state tourism department and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), providing a proven framework that the new Jagannath scheme can build upon.
The current administrative push reflects the government's commitment to ensuring that the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana achieves its intended impact without unnecessary delays, bringing spiritual fulfillment to thousands of deserving citizens across the state.
