M P Govt subsidy for pilgrimage to SriLanka, Angkor Wat temple

TNN | Apr 5, 2012, 07.10AM IST


BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh government has expanded the subsidy scheme for pilgrimage to places of religious importance in other countries. Now, after pilgrimage journeys to religious places in China and Pakistan, the State Government will now provide 50% subsidy on expenses (maximum Rs. 30,000) to the state's residents for the journey to pilgrim centres in Sri Lanka and Cambodia.

Six years ago, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had taken the initiative of scheme for providing financial assistance to citizens of the state for pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar. A beneficiary pilgrim has to make claim for reimbursement within 60 days after the journey to Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation along with details of expenses.

Under the scheme, a domicile of Madhya Pradesh is eligible to avail this subsidy once in lifetime. The Corporation has granted subsidy to 113 citizens of the state for pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar.

Only those pilgrims of the state are entitled to get subsidy under the scheme whose selection for pilgrimage is made by the Union Government. Since the year 2007-08, the State Government has also introduced a provision of providing subsidy for pilgrimage to Hinglaj Mata Mandir and Nankana Saheb situated in Pakistan.

A person desirous of pilgrimage to Sita Mandir (Sri Lanka) and Angkor Wat (Cambodia) will have to apply to Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, Bhopal. The Corporation will make payment after examining the documents. Rules and instructions to this effect have been issued by the Principal Secretary, Religious Trusts and Endowments.