Lok Sabha Question No. 467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Subsidy to Hindu and Sikh Pilgrims
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SAKSHI SWAMI MAHARAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.467 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## SUBSIDY TO HINDU AND SIKH PILGRIMS

## 467. DR. SWAMI SAKSHIJI MAHARAJ:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) the scheme formulated to provide better amenities to Non-Resident Indians keen to visit India from across the World for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra during the year 201516 and 2016-17;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  cash  subsidy  to  Hindu  and  Sikh pilgrims visiting India for pilgrimage purposes from other countries every year on the lines of Haj pilgrims;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend  the  norms  and  rules  for  providing subsidy to Hindu and Sikh pilgrims during the current year; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Ministry of External Affairs organizes the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in cooperation with  the  State  Governments  of  Uttarakhand,  Delhi,  and  Sikkim  along  with  Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). In addition to the existing Yatra route via Lipulekh (Uttarakhand), an additional route via Nathu La Pass (Sikkim) was opened in 2015 for the benefit of Yatris. The  Kumaon  Mandal  Vikas  Nigam  Limited  (KMVN),  and  Sikkim  Tourism  Development Cooperation  (STDC)  make  logistical  arrangements  including  accommodation,  food,  and transport on the Indian side for the Yatra. The Yatra is organized in cooperation with the Government of China which provides logistical facilities on the Tibet side. 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. Medical tests are also conducted for Yatris to  ensure  their  fitness  for  high  altitude  endurance.  Provision  for  air-lift  of  Yatris  by helicopter is also available in coordination with concerned  agencies  in case of emergency. One Liaison Officer is appointed for each batch for coordination with Indian and Chinese authorities concerned, and seeks assistance in case of any emergency for the  safety  and  well-being  of  Yatris.  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.

The Government of India arranges, on self-payment basis, facilities like transportation,  accommodation,  fresh  food,  medical  tests,  guides,  Chinese  visa,  foreign exchange,  and  porters  and  ponies  for  carrying  goods  and  belongings  of  yatris.  The Government of India does not extend any subsidy to pilgrims of the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra.

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