Tirth Barat Yojana

Description
The "Tirth Barat Yojana" was launched by the Social Welfare Department, Government of Chhattisgarh on 4th December 2012. The objective of this scheme is to provide government assistance for pilgrimage to the senior citizens 60 years & above and Persons with Disabilities PwDs , who are residents of Chhattisgarh, to visit one or more of the various designated pilgrimage sites outside the state, once in their lifetime. - Under this scheme, 80% of the beneficiaries will be from the Below Poverty Line BPL category, including cardholders of the Antyodaya and Chief Minister Food Grain Schemes. The remaining 20% will be senior citizens and disabled individuals above the poverty line who are not income taxpayers. - Of the total beneficiaries, 25% will be from urban areas, while 75% will be from rural areas.

Benefits
• Under the scheme, the state government provides an opportunity for senior citizens (60 years and above) and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to visit one or more designated pilgrimage sites outside the state.
• This assistance is available once in their lifetime.
• > **List of Pilgrimage Sites:**
• Ujjain, Omkareshwar
• Puri, Bhubaneswar
• Haridwar, Rishikesh
• Mathura, Vrindavan
• Prayag, Kashi
• Shirdi, Shani Shingnapur, Trimbakeshwar
• Vaishno Devi, Jammu
• Amritsar, Golden Temple
• Tirupati, Madurai, Rameshwaram
• Ajmer Sharif, Fatehpur (Dargah of Chishti)
• Baba Baidyanath Dham
• Dakshineswar, Kalighat, Gangasagar
• Dwarka, Somnath, Nageshwar
• Sammed Shikharji
• Shravanabelagola
• Velankanni Church, Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu)
• Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Nalanda
• Kamakhya Temple, Navagraha Temple, Vashishtha Muni Ashram, Umananda Temple, Shivaji Temple, Shankar Dev Kala Kshetra-Guwahati
• Sabari Mala, Guruvayur, Ettumanoor Temple

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a native of Chhattisgarh.
2. The applicant should be either a senior citizen or a person with disabilities (including visual impairment, deaf-mute, hearing impairment, or locomotor disabilities).
3. Senior citizens should be 60 years of age or older.
4. Persons with disabilities must be 18 years of age or older.
5. The applicant should not have previously traveled under this scheme.
6. The applicant should not be an income taxpayer.
7. The applicant should be physically and mentally able to travel.
8. The applicant should not be suffering from any infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, congestive cardiac or respiratory obstruction-related diseases, coronary insufficiency, coronary thrombosis, mental illness, leprosy, etc.
9. > **Groups of Pilgrims:**
10. - The journey will be conducted only in groups. The above groups will be determined by the government or the authority/agency authorized by the government. The journey to any pilgrimage place will be started only when the minimum number of passengers determined by the government is available. Mere selection under the scheme will not oblige the government to arrange a journey for any person.
11. > **Restrictions on other persons traveling:**
12. - Only the person selected to travel under this scheme is permitted to go on the journey. They should not bring any additional person with them, even if that person is willing to cover the journey expenses. Only the selected individuals are allowed to travel in trains and vehicles, and each seat/berth will be occupied by only one person.
13. > **Regarding additional expenses:**
14. - If anyone, during the journey, wants to avail of facilities in addition to the norms/facilities prescribed by the government, then he/she will have to pay for the same himself/herself.
15. > **Expectations from the pilgrims during the trip:**
16. - Pilgrims will not be able to carry any inflammable substance or intoxicating substance in any form.
17. - Pilgrims will not be able to take jewelry etc. with them.
18. - The pilgrims will behave as per the dignity of the pilgrimage so that the image of the state is not otherwise affected.
19. - Pilgrims will follow the instructions of their designated contact officer.

Required Documents
• Aadhaar card of the applicant
• Passport-size photograph
• Identity proof
• Domicile of Chhattisgarh
• Proof of Age
• Residence proof (Ration card/Driving license/Electricity bill/Voter identity card/Any other government-authorized documents)
• Income proof
• Any other document required
• BPL Card or related documents (if applicable)
• Any other documents as required

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible for the scheme?
A: Eligible applicants must be residents of Chhattisgarh, senior citizens (60 years and above) or PwDs (18 years and above), not be income taxpayers, and not have previously traveled under this scheme. They must also be physically and mentally capable of traveling and not suffer from infectious diseases.

Q: How many pilgrimage sites can beneficiaries visit under the scheme?
A: Beneficiaries can visit one or more of the designated pilgrimage sites outside the state once in their lifetime.

Q: What are some of the designated pilgrimage sites under the scheme?
A: Designated sites include Ujjain, Puri, Haridwar, Mathura, Shirdi, Vaishno Devi, Amritsar, Tirupati, Ajmer Sharif, and several others across India.

Q: Can beneficiaries travel with companions?
A: Only the selected beneficiary is permitted to travel. They cannot bring additional persons with them, even if the companion is willing to cover their own expenses.

Q: What if a disabled person's spouse is selected?
A: If a disabled person's spouse is selected, the spouse can accompany them on the journey. The application of the spouse must be attached with the disabled person's application.

Q: Can a group of disabled people apply together?
A: Yes, a group of five or more disabled individuals can apply as a group. The entire group will be considered as one application in the lottery.

Q: Are assistants allowed for elderly or disabled pilgrims?
A: Elderly individuals (65 years and above) can take one assistant with them. Groups of 3 to 5 elderly persons can have one assistant for the group. Disabled individuals must be accompanied by an assistant of their choice.

Q: What are the restrictions regarding luggage and items during the trip?
A: Pilgrims cannot carry inflammable or intoxicating substances, jewelry, or items that could affect the dignity of the pilgrimage.

Q: How are beneficiaries selected for the scheme?
A: Beneficiaries are selected through a lottery system conducted by the Collector.

Q: Where should applicants submit their application forms?
A: Applications should be submitted to the Gram Panchayat, District Panchayat, or Deputy Director of Panchayat and Social Welfare of their respective district.

Q: Can groups apply for the pilgrimage?
A: Yes, groups can apply together as one application. The maximum group size is 25 persons, including assistants.

Q: What if a beneficiary wants additional facilities during the journey?
A: Any additional facilities beyond those provided by the scheme must be paid for by the beneficiary themselves.

Q: Can elderly pilgrims take more than one assistant?
A: No, only one assistant is allowed per elderly pilgrim or group.

Q: How often can beneficiaries avail of the pilgrimage assistance under this scheme?
A: Beneficiaries can avail of the pilgrimage assistance only once in their lifetime.