Karnataka launches Kashi Yatra scheme; offers Rs 5,000 cash assistance to 30,000 pilgrims

Karnataka government on June 27 gave its nod to Kashi Yatra project offering cash assistance of Rs 5,000 to each of 30,000 pilgrims willing to take up a pilgrimage to Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi in Uttar Presh.

In its order, government authorised religious endowment department commissioner to utilise Rs 7 crore sanctioned for 'Kashi Yatra', as re out in budget speech by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai under accounts he of 'Assistance to Manasa Sarovara Pilgrims'.

In a statement, Minister for Religious Endowment, Hajj and Wakf, Shashikala Jolle said that those willing to avail mselves of benefit should be native of Karnataka and have to furnish proof of ir domicile of origin in Karnataka such as ir voter ID, Ahaar Card or ration card.

applicants should be above 18 years old and have to furnish ir age proof, Minister said.

She ded that those who took up pilgrimage from April 1 to June 30 and want to take benefit of Kashi Yatra scheme would have to furnish proof that y visited Kashi Vishwanath Temple such as ir darshan ticket or waiting list, 'Pooja Receipt', and submit it to commissioner of religious endowment department in prescribed proforma.

Any pilgrim taking up government-sponsored 'Kashi Yatra' would get benefit only once in a lifetime, Jolle said. 

Image: PTI