Assam Punya Dham Scheme

Senior Citizens of Assam will now visit Vaishno Devi, Jagannath Puri, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, and Mathura-Vrindavan free of cost under the Punya Dham Scheme. Free Accommodation, Free Travelling in 3rd AC Coach or Bus, and Rs. 150/- per food allowance is also provided under this scheme.
Read the complete article to get information about the scheme.

Introduction of Assam Punya Dham Scheme: A Brief Insight

• Old age people have a wish that they can visit religious places as per their beliefs once in a lifetime.
• But due to financial restraints, most of them didn’t able to fulfill their wish.
• But the Assam Government extends its hand of help to old age people like this.
• In the year 2017, the Government of Assam launched the “Punya Dham Scheme” in the whole of the State.
• The main aim behind launching this scheme is to arrange the visit for old age people so that they can visit their interested religious places as per their faith.
• This scheme is implemented by the Tourism Department of Assam Government with the help of Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited.
• Interested Old Age People can now visit famous pilgrim sites across India free of cost.
• All the expenses of food, lodging, and travelling will be borne by the Government of Assam.
• Currently under the Punya Dham Yatra Scheme of Assam, beneficiaries can visit 4 religious places free of cost.
• Those 4 religious places which are eligible for a free-of-cost visit under the Assam Punya Dham Yojana are “Ajmer Sharif Dargah”, “Mathura-Vrindavan”, “Vaishno Devi”, and “Jagannath Puri”.
• The government will arrange travelling from Guwahati to a religious place in a 3rd AC Rail Coach or a Bus.
• Selected Beneficiary will have to reach Guhawati on their own expenses because this is the only point from where the journey to religious places starts.
• Rs. 150/- per day food allowance will also be provided to travellers under the Punya Dham Scheme.
• Accommodation will be arranged by the Government for the whole journey.
• Only 2 members per family are eligible to apply,y and both of them are medically and physically fit.
• Punya Dham Scheme is only for senior citizens of Assam, in which male beneficiaries whose age is between 60 years to 75 years and female beneficiaries whose age is between 55 years to 70 years are only eligible to apply and travel.
• If any applicant’s family annual income is more than Rs. 2.50 lakh, then they are not eligible to avail the benefit of this scheme.
• Assam Government is also providing a free-of-cost visit to Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya Dham under the Punya Tirtha Yojana.
• Interested beneficiaries can apply for the Punya Dham Scheme to avail the benefit of a free of cost visit to religious places by applying through the Offline Application Form or through the Online Application Form.
• Punya Dham Scheme Online Application Form is available from time to time on the Tourism Department Website.
• Whereas, the Offline Application Form of Punya Dham Yojana is available at the Tourism Department or Tourism Development Corporation Limited District Office.
• Contact the District Tourism Development Officer in case of any help or assistance required regarding the Assam Government’s Punya Dham Scheme.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

• Each Eligible Beneficiary will get the following benefits from the Assam Government under its Punya Dham Scheme :-
  

  Free Visit to Famous Religious Places will be arranged by the Assam Government. A free 3rd AC Tier Coach or Bus Ticket will be provided for travelling. Food Allowance of Rs. 150/- per Day will also be provided. Accommodation during the whole visit is also Free of Cost. The beneficiary can Visit Free of Cost to any one of the below-mentioned religious place :- Vaishno Devi. Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Virndavan-Mathura. Jagannath Puri.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

• Free of Cost Visit to major religious pilgrimage places will only be provided to those beneficiaries who fulfill the below-mentioned eligibility criteria of Punya Dham Scheme of the Government of Assam :-
  • Only Permanent Residents of Assam are Eligible to Apply.
  • Male Pilgrim Age should be between 60 Years to 75 Years.
  • Women Pilgrim Age should be 55 Years to 70 Years.
  • Applicant Family Annual Income should not be more than Rs. 2,50,000/- per year.
  • 2 Members per Family can choose one religious place to visit.
  • Pilgrim Tour will start from Guwahati.

Documents Required to be Attached

• Dovotee/ Pilgrim will have to submit the following documents with the Application Form of Punya Dham Scheme at the time of applying for a free of cost visit to a religious place :-
  • Any Residence Proof or Domicile of Assam.
  • Beneficiary Aadhaar Card.
  • Family Annual Income Certificate.
  • Medically Fit Certificate from a Doctor.
  • Bank Account Number with IFSC Code.
  • Mobile Number.
  • Any Proof of Age.

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

• Beneficiaries interested in visiting famous religious places free of cost under the Assam Government’s Punya Dham Scheme can apply it through the Application Form.
• Punya Dham Scheme Application Form is available free of cost at the District Office of the Tourism Department or the Tourism Development Corporation Limited Office.
• Visit the District Office of above mentioned government offices and collect the application form.
• Fill the Application Form correctly and attach all the required documents with it.
• Submit the Application Form of Punya Dham Scheme along with all the documents in the same district office.
• Respective Officials will verify the received application form and documents and make a list of eligible beneficiaries.
• An SMS will also be sent to the eligible beneficiaries on their registered mobile number about their selection.
• Pilgrim Route is only available from Guwahati so beneficiaries will have to reach Guwahati on their own expenses.
• The tour will be organized by the Assam Government in groups of 50 to 100 people or as per availability.
• Punya Dham Scheme Online Application Form is also available on the Website of Tourism Development Corporation Limited, which is open at various times.
• Assam Government will also publish the start of applications in the Punya Dham Yatra Scheme.
• Beneficiaries can also explore Punya Tirtha Yojana of the Assam Government, in which a free-of-cost visit to the Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya Dham will be provided.

Important Links Available

• Guidelines of Punya Dham Scheme Assam.
• Official Website of Tourism Development Corporation Limited Assam.
• Official Website of Tourism Department Assam.
• Contact Details of Tourism Department Assam.

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Contact Number of Directorate of Tourism Assam :- 0361 2547102.
• Contact Email of Directorate of Tourism Assam :- directorate-tourism@assam.gov.in.
• Contact Number of Tourism Development Corporation Limited Assam :- 0361 263354.
• Helpline Email of Tourism Development Corporation Limited Assam :- mdatdc@gmail.com.
• Address of Directorate of Tourism Assam :- Station Road, Guwahati, Assam – 781001.
• Address of Tourism Development Corporation Limited Assam :-
  4th Floor, Ason Paryatan Bhawan,
  A.K. Azad Road, Paltan Bazar,
  Guwahati, Assam – 781008.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Assam Government’s Punya Dham Scheme?
  -It is a government initiative launched in 2017 to provide free visits to religious sites for senior citizens of Assam.
• Which religious places can be visited under the scheme?
  -Beneficiaries can visit Vaishno Devi, Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Mathura-Vrindavan, or Jagannath Puri free of cost.
• Who is eligible to apply for the Punya Dham Scheme?
  -Male residents aged 60–75 years and female residents aged 55–70 years who are permanent residents of Assam and have a family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per year is eligible.
• What travel arrangements are provided under the scheme?
  -The government arranges 3rd AC train or bus travel from Guwahati to the religious site.
• Is food provided during the journey?
  -Yes, a daily food allowance of Rs. 150/- is given to each beneficiary during the tour.
• How is accommodation managed for pilgrims?
  -Accommodation is arranged free of cost by the Assam Government for the entire duration of the pilgrimage.
• How many people from one family can apply?
  -A maximum of two members from one family can apply, provided both meet the eligibility criteria.
• Do applicants need to be medically fit?
  -Yes, a medical fitness certificate from a doctor is required at the time of application.
• Where does the journey begin from?
  -The pilgrimage journey begins from Guwahati, and beneficiaries must reach there on their own expense.
• How can one apply for the Punya Dham Scheme?
  -Interested applicants can submit an offline application form at the Tourism Department office or apply online through the Tourism Development Corporation Limited website when available.
• What documents are needed to apply for the scheme?
  -Aadhaar card, residence proof, income certificate, age proof, bank details, mobile number, and medical fitness certificate are required.
• Is there a helpline available for the Punya Dham Scheme?
  -Yes, the Directorate of Tourism Assam and Tourism Development Corporation Limited provide phone numbers and emails for assistance.
• Is the scheme limited to religious tours only?
  -Yes, the scheme is specifically aimed at facilitating religious pilgrimages for senior citizens of Assam.
• Can beneficiaries choose any religious site listed?
  -Yes, they can choose any one of the four mentioned religious sites to visit under the scheme.
• What is the Punya Tirtha Yojana mentioned in the document?
  -It is another scheme under which the Assam Government arranges free visits to the Shri Ram Mandir at Ayodhya Dham.

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