Chief Minister Raman Singh on Wednesday chaired a general body meeting of ‘Chhattisgarh Mukhyamantri Teerthyathra Samiti’ at his office in the Chhattisgarh Assembly premises.
The Chief Minister said that for security of passengers on pilgrimage, police personnel and Government officers will accompany them during the journey.
He said that a local Art Troupe will also go along with the passengers so as to entertain them.
Singh said that decision has also been taken to take cabinet ministers, MlAs and panchayat representatives on pilgrimage along with the beneficiaries.
The Social Welfare and Women and Child Development Department Minister Ramsheela Sahu, Parliamentary Secretary Roopkumari Choundhary and Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand and other senior officials of the department were also present in the meeting.
Singh said that senior citizens wish to visit the sacred places as per their religious beliefs.
The State Government is implementing the Pilgrimage Scheme since year 2013 to live up to their commitment of fulfilling these wishes of senior citizens in the State.
The State Government's Social Welfare Department is running this scheme by the name of ‘Mukhyamantri Teerthyatra Yojana’.
It is noteworthy that under this scheme, nearly 1.34 lakh passengers have been taken to various pilgrim spots. This includes nearly 4,000 disabled passengers, he said.
Presently, 17 pilgrimage groups have been finalized under the scheme Singh said, adding that health check-up of the interested candidates should be done before their selection for pilgrimage.
He said that State Government would provide a high quality bag to selected passengers, in which they can carry their belongings. Name and address of the passenger will be printed on the bag.
The Chief Minister asked the officials concerned to provide proper representation of visually impaired beneficiaries.
Secretary, Social Welfare Department Dinesh Shrivastava presented the report in the meeting.