In the Cabinet Meeting held today at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan, following important decisions were taken -
Cabinet has decided to commence Shri Ramlala Darshan (Ayodhya Dham) Scheme in the state. And with this decision, another guarantee of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is being fulfilled for the people of Chhattisgarh.
It is known that 'Praan Pratishtha' ceremony of Shri Ramlala will be organized on January 22 in the city of Ayodhya. Chhattisgarh Government has announced a scheme for people of Chhattisgarh, under which people will get the opportunity to visit Ayodhya and have darshan of Shri Ramlala. Implementation of Shri Ramlala Darshan Scheme will be done by Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and the budget will be provided by the Tourism Department.
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Under this scheme, every year about 20 thousand beneficiaries will be taken on a pilgrimage for Shri Ramlala darshan.
Residents of Chhattisgarh state in the age group of 18 to 75, who are found fit in the health examination by District Medical Board will be considered eligible for the trip under this scheme. Disabled people will also be able to avail this scheme, and go for darshan along with a member of their family.
In the first phase, this facility will be made available for the people of age above 55 years.
For effective implementation of this scheme, Shri Ramlala Darshan Committee will be constituted in every district under the chairmanship of District Collector. These committees will select the beneficiaries as per the proportionate quota.
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The distance to be covered under this trip to Ayodhya will be approximately 900 kilometers, for which an MoU will be signed between Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
IRCTC will ensure arrangements for security, health, food, sightseeing, local transport and escort to the passengers during the journey.
Arrangements for commute of the beneficiaries from their residence to the designated railway station and back will be made by the concerned District Collector. Budget will be allocated for aforementioned arrangements.
In each of these pilgrimage visits to Ayodhya, passengers will be accompanied by a competent government official or a small team of officials from each district.
Passengers will leave for their destination by train from Durg-Raipur, Raigarh and Ambikapur. Main destination of the journey will be Ayodhya Dham. Besides, the pilgrims will get to spend one day and have one night stay in Varanasi as well. The trip will also include a visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor and witnessing of Ganga Aarti.
At present, IRCTC will facilitate one train every week for the scheme. In future, the number of beneficiaries will be increased as per the availability of the train.
