Free pilgrimage: Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana registrations start; are you eligible

The Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government has launched the 'Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana' for senior citizens. The registration for this yojna started today under which as many as 1,100 senior citizens will be selected from each of the 70 assembly constituencies under the first-come-first-serve basis for this free pilgrimage tour. Here are key aspects of the 'Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana'. 
 
Under the scheme, a city resident above 60 years will be eligible to take free pilgrimage along with his or her spouse. The applicant can also take along an attendant above the age of 20 years, if the applicant or his spouse is above 70 years. The Delhi government will bear the expenditure of the attendant.
 
The applications will be received online and selection of pilgrims will be done through a draw. Respective area MLAs will certify whether the intended beneficiaries belong to Delhi or not.
 
The pilgrimage for three days and two nights can be undertaken on the circuits of Delhi-Mathura-Vrindavan-Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Delhi; Delhi-Haridwar-Rishikesh-Neelkanth-Delhi; Delhi-Ajmer-Pushkar-Delhi; Delhi-Amritsar-Wagah border-Anandpur Sahib-Delhi; and Delhi-Vaishno Devi-Jammu-Delhi.
 
The AAP government will bear the expenses of 77,000 pilgrims every year. Employees of central, state and local government or autonomous bodies are not eligible for the scheme. The Delhi government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the railways to cater to the pilgrims availing the scheme.
 
There is no income criteria but preference will be given to those from economically weaker sections on first-come-first-serve basis. The scheme was approved by the AAP government in July.

"The scheme was launched with an aim that every elderly person's desire to undertake a pilgrimage in his life gets fulfilled. I urge all the children and the MLAs to help our elderly register themselves and fill up the forms so that they can avail the service," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal told mediapersons today.