Lok Sabha Question No. 40 (STARRED), answered on 2015-07-22
Subject: Subsidy for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE, NITYANAND RAI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.40

TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2015

SUBSIDY FOR KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA

*40.		SHRI RAHUL SHEWALE:

SHRI NITYANAND RAI:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) 	whether the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for 2015 has started from both old and new routes;

(b)	if so, the details thereof including the number of devotees selected and the steps taken to facilitate these devotees;

(c)	whether the Government has been providing any subsidy to devotees for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, if so, the details thereof and the criteria fixed for selection of devotees for the said Yatra;

(d)	whether the Government proposes to develop any infrastructure for Yatries at Lipulekh Pass and if so, the details thereof along with the details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred so far for developing such infrastructure at Lipulekh; and

(e)	the time by which work will be completed?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)

(a) to (e) 	A statement is laid on the table of the House.

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**STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 40 REGARDING “SUBSIDY FOR KAILASH MANSAROVAR YATRA” FOR ANSWER ON 22.07.2015**

(a)	Yes, Madam.

(b) to (e)	The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2015 has commenced from the new route via Nathu La (Sikkim) in addition to the existing route via Lipulekh Pass (Uttarakhand). The first batch of Yatris left New Delhi on 17 June 2015 for Yatra via Nathu La Pass, and on 12 June 2015 for Yatra via Lipulekh Pass. This year a total of 1080 applicants have been selected for travel on the traditional route via Lipulekh Pass, and 250 applicants have been selected for the new route via Nathu La Pass.

Ministry of External Affairs organizes the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in close cooperation with the Government of the People's Republic of China. The State Governments of Uttarakhand, Delhi and Sikkim along with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN) and Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation make logistical arrangements including accommodation, food, transport and porters on the Indian side for the Yatra.

No direct subsidy is provided by Government of India to individual Yatris. Government of India takes various steps to facilitate the Yatra which include a dedicated website to further simplify and expedite the registration and selection process, communication with Yatris, and a helpline based on Interactive Voice Response System which provides information in Hindi and English to the Yatris. One Liaison Officer is appointed for each batch. The Liaison Officer stays in touch with Indian and Chinese authorities concerned and seeks assistance in case of any emergency for the safety and well-being of Yatris. Provision for air-lift of Yatris by helicopter is also available in coordination with concerned agencies in case of emergency. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) provides security cover and basic medical assistance to Yatris on the Indian side.

Facilities are upgraded on a continuous basis along the entire route of the Yatra.

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