Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Minister Subhash Phaldesai said that the state government has incurred a total expenditure of Rs 14.43 crore to date on the Dev Darshan scheme.
“The total expenditure incurred is Rs.14,43,75,000.the scheme is still existing Till date total applications received are approx 21605 and the number of pending applications are 9626,” said Phaldesai.
Some people who have already availed of the scheme have reapplied for it. However, the scheme can only be availed once and such applications will not be entertained, he said.
The scheme, which was launched in November 2022, offers free pilgrimage to holy places, including Shirdi (Maharashtra), Velankanni (Tamil Nadu) and Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh). It had been suspended for the last one month.
Under the scheme, people over the age of 50 years are eligible to apply.
The chief minister had said a doctor, a caretaker, and a policeman accompany pilgrims on the tours.
The scheme, to be implemented through the social welfare department, was announced by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in his Budget 2021-22, in April, this year.
Only those citizens, who are residing in the State for 15 years and more and have annual income below three lakhs, would be eligible to avail the benefit of the scheme.
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