The state government has provided an opportunity to travel to pilgrimage sites in India for senior citizens of the state, i.e. those who are above 60 years of age. The last date to apply for this scheme is April 30. Citizens above 60 years of age have to apply for this scheme at Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare Office, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Samajik Nyaya Bhavan, Opposite Government Industrial Training Centre, Shradhanandpeth, Nagpur. Up to Rs. 30 thousand will be provided under this scheme.
Who will benefit?
To avail the benefits of this scheme, a senior citizen of Maharashtra state aged 60 years and above should be a resident of Maharashtra state. He/She should be a senior citizen of 60 years and above. The annual income of the beneficiary family should not exceed Rs. 2.50 lakh. Along with the application, the senior citizen will have to submit a certificate stating that the person is physically fit and fit for the proposed journey after a complete health check-up by a government medical officer. (This certificate should not be more than 15 days old from the date of travel).
How to apply
To avail the benefits of this scheme, an offline application should be submitted to the Assistant Commissioner, Social Welfare, Nagpur. Along with the application, the beneficiary’s Aadhar card, ration card, Maharashtra state domicile certificate, Maharashtra state birth certificate, (If the beneficiary’s domicile certificate is not available, any of the four identity cards, certificates of the beneficiary, namely 15 years old ration card, voter ID card / school leaving certificate, birth certificate, etc. will be accepted instead.) Income certificate of the head of the family issued by the competent authority. (Annual income must be up to Rs. 2.50 lakh.) Or yellow / orange ration card, medical certificate, passport size photo, mobile number of a close relative and an undertaking to comply with the terms and conditions of the said scheme will be required.
They cannot benefit.
Those whose family members are income tax payers. Those whose family members are working as regular, permanent employees in any Government Department, Undertaking, Board, Government of India or Local Bodies of the State Government or are drawing pension after retirement will not be eligible. However, employees working through external agencies with an income of up to Rs. 2.50 lakh, voluntary workers and contractual employees will remain eligible. In short, senior citizens with an income of more than Rs. 2.5 lakh, suffering from a serious illness will be ineligible.
This is how the selection of beneficiaries will be done
The district level committee will select the beneficiaries. The quota will be fixed by adding a surcharge in proportion to the population of that district along with the number of applicants, the passengers will be selected through lottery (computerized draw of lots) based on the availability of applications in excess of the prescribed quota.
Travel process
The list of passengers selected by the district level committee will be handed over to the Commissioner, Social Welfare, Pune. The list of selected passengers will be given to the authorized tourist company/agency for travel, the designated authorized tourist company/agency will arrange for the departure of the group of passengers from distant places. The State Government will decide on the necessary facilities for the travel of the passengers and what facilities should be provided. All the pilgrims will have to reach the planned destination for travel at their own expense…
Discount for 75 years
An applicant above the age of 75 years will be allowed to bring one of his spouse or assistant with him. The applicant must mention this in his application. Even if the spouse of an applicant above the age of 75 years is below the age of 60 years, the traveling assistant can travel with the applicant.
Brief plan
The age of the beneficiaries should be 60 years. The income of the beneficiaries should not exceed 2.50 lakhs. Residence certificate, Aadhaar card/voter card, Indira Gandhi, National Old Age Pension proof, Senior Citizen certificate must be attached, Medical certificate, 2 passport size photos, Income certificate or Yellow/Orange Ration Card, Mobile number of a close relative, Guarantee letter is required.
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