Patiala/Samana, December 17 - The Punjab government, continuing its pro-people initiatives, launched the 'Chief Minister's Pilgrimage Scheme' through which Punjabis are getting the facility to pay obeisance by visiting various religious places. This disclosure was made by Information and Public Relations Minister Chetan Singh Jaudamajra today on the occasion of sending off a bus of Sangat from Samana to go to Sri Amritsar Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib for two days under the "Chief Minister Pilgrimage" scheme.
   Information and Public Relations, Water Resources, Mining and Geology, Water and Land Conservation, Horticulture, Freedom Struggle and Defense Services Welfare Minister Chetan Singh Jaudamajra said that
This scheme will prove to be a boon to the people who are unable to visit major religious places of Punjab and India due to old age and financial constraints. He said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has started this scheme to realize the dreams of the people of Punjab and a budget of Rs 40 crore has been kept for this prestigious scheme during the financial year 2023-24. Under this scheme, provision has been made for citizens going from Punjab to visit other religious places in the state or across the country through AC buses or AC trains. Jaudamajra said that a welcome kit is being given for the convenience of passengers, which includes a bag, sheet, blanket, pillow, paste, oil, soap, shampoo, brush, umbrella, mirror and other items.
   Chetan Singh Jaudamajra said that under this scheme, rail travel will be provided for distant places while buses will be provided for short distance places by road. Shrines visited by train include Sri Hazur Sahib, Sri Patna Sahib, Hindu shrines of Varanasi, Mathura, Sri Vrindavan Dham and Muslim shrines of Sri Ajmer Sharif. During the current financial year, 13 air-conditioned trains will be sent to various religious places and each train will carry 1000 passengers.
   He further informed that various religious places Sri Amritsar Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Sri Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo, Mata Vaishnu Devi, Mata Javalaji, Mata Chintapurni Ji, Mata Naina Devi Ji, Sri Khatu Shyam Ji and Salasar Balaji Dham Ji Darshan AC. It will be conducted by buses. Accomodation and food will be provided during the trip to these places. On this occasion, the people going to travel appreciated and thanked the Punjab government for starting the pilgrimage scheme.