Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana
Category: Social welfare & Empowerment, Travel & Tourism
Level: State | State: Odisha

Details:
The scheme “Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY)” was launched by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha on 01st February 2016 in collaboration with IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) wherein the pilgrims will be taken on a visit to different pilgrimage centers in the country from particular boarding points in the state as per the schedule approved for the journeys. The scheme is envisaged to help senior citizens over 60-75 years of age to undertake pilgrimage with Government assistance.

Benefits:
The scheme offers a great opportunity to the poor and deprived senior citizens (60-75 years) of the State to the realization of their lifelong dream of having one Tirtha Darshan (Pilgrimage) and fulfill their spiritual aspirations, with the support of the state.
This scheme will be offered to people of all regions/faiths.
The scheme is envisaged to help senior citizens over 60-75 years of age to undertake pilgrimage with Government assistance.
Facilities for pilgrims:
The district administration will make arrangements for transportation of the selected pilgrims including their attendants to district HQ and further to the “Starting Point” i.e. originating railway station or directly from home to the starting point and also on the return journey from the “Starting Point “ back to their homes.
Arrangements for stay and food for the pilgrims coming from various districts on the day previous to the actual departure will be done by the district administration of the “Starting Point” i.e. originating station.
Vegetarian Meals, Breakfast, Tea & Snacks with Drinking Water throughout the journey, Road transport, Accommodation in nearby destinations, Tour escorts, tour guides, travel insurance, and medical facilities with professional physicians shall be provided by IRCTC.
The tentative food menu to be provided at the starting point by the Tourism Department as well as during the journey by IRCTC are as follows:  Break Fast-8-9 AM- Upama & Dalma/ Puri & Veg. Mix. Curry/Idlee, Sambar, and Tea & Water, (b) Lunch- 12 Noon-2 PM- Veg.-Rice/Roti, Dal, one Curry, one Veg. Fry, Khata, Water, (c) Tea & Biscuits- 4-5 PM, (d) Dinner- 7-9 PM- Veg.-Rice/ Roti, Dal, Veg. Curry & Water.
The travel kit shall be provided by IRCTC to the pilgrims within a cost as per the MOU signed between the state Govt. & IRCTC for each year. The kit shall contain a toothbrush, toothpaste, coconut oil, shampoo, bathing & washing soap, bedsheet, blanket, cap, towel, hand napkin, comb, mirror, identity card & a bag. The bag shall be properly branded with the Odisha Tourism logo.
If pilgrims desire to avail of any facility other than that prescribed by the Government during the journey, then they will have to make payment for the same. Tourism Dept. / IRCTC cannot take responsibility for the extra services desired by the pilgrims.

Eligibility Criteria:
1. The applicant must be over 60 years of age &amp; within 75 years of age (except in cases of joint application of a married couple where one of the spouses can be less than 60 years of age). For the computation of age, the last date of submission of the application will be taken into account.
   1. The applicant has to be a domicile of Odisha.
   1. The applicant should have the requisite fitness to undertake the journey and should not be suffering from any communicable disease.
   1. Under the scheme, an attendant can also accompany applicants above 70 years of age. The application of the attendant should be a joint application with the prospective &#39;Pilgrim&#39;.
   1. The attendant has to pay 50% of the travel cost in the shape of a Bank Draft drawn on scheduled banks in favour of the Director, Tourism payable at Bhubaneswar along with the application.
   1. The attendant should be over 18 years of age.
   1. A married couple can apply &#39;jointly&#39; for the pilgrimage trip. Their joint application will be treated as one application, but, the facilities provided will be individual. The joint application will be held eligible even if one of the spouses is less than 60 years of age.
   1. Under the scheme, the pilgrim can avail the benefit of a journey only once in a lifetime.
   1. Since the scheme is meant for poor and deprived sections of society, the applicant should mandatorily possess any of the following:


  - Antyodaya/ Annapurna card,
  - Ration Card under NFSA
  - Widow Pension/ Old Age Pension
  - MGNREGS Job Card
  - The auto inclusion and the deprivation criteria used by the Panchayati Raj Department which has replaced the criteria for identification of BPL category people and weaker sections for different development schemes can be used to filter the eligible applicants for this scheme.
  - Any other similar documents issued by the State Govt. reflecting their weak economic status or deprivation.

**Note:** Applicant providing false information will be debarred of benefit under the scheme.
**Responsibility of Pilgrims Selected for Yatra:**

   1. As far as possible the pilgrims should avoid wearing jewellery.
   1. Pilgrims should give an undertaking that they have the requisite fitness to undertake the journey and they are not suffering from any communicable disease.
   1. The pilgrim has to give an undertaking that he/she is taking the journey on his own will and at his/her own risk and that the state government will not be responsible for any unforeseen untoward incident, if any, during the entire duration of the pilgrimage up till the time they reach their homes.
   1. The selected pilgrims should not deviate from the scheduled program journey and site visits under any circumstances.
   1. The pilgrims should listen to the instructions of the IRCTC officials during the entire duration of the journey.
   1. The pilgrims should maintain good behaviour among themselves and with IRCTC officials