Madhya Pradesh Sindhu Darshan Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Madhya Pradesh Sindhu Darshan Yatra Yojana is a pilgrimage assistance scheme launched by the Government of Madhya Pradesh through Dharmik Nyas Evam Dharmswa Vibhag, to encourage eligible residents of the state to participate in the Sindhu Darshan Yatra held in the Union Territory of Ladakh. Under this scheme, the State Government provides financial assistance to reduce the travel expenses of selected pilgrims, making the pilgrimage more affordable for people from different sections of society.

Under the scheme, eligible pilgrims can receive financial assistance equal to 50% of their actual travel expenses or ₹10,000, whichever is lower. However, this assistance is available only to applicants who are selected by the District Administration under the prescribed selection process and who successfully complete the Sindhu Darshan Yatra.

Applications are invited by the District Collector of the concerned district. If the number of applications received is more than the available quota, beneficiaries are selected through a computerized lottery system. A waiting list is also prepared to fill vacancies if any selected applicant withdraws or becomes ineligible.

The scheme also includes several important conditions. Financial assistance can be claimed only once in a lifetime. The applicant must submit the prescribed claim along with proof of completing the pilgrimage and travel expenses within the stipulated time. As per the amended provisions, the claim is submitted to the District Collector, who verifies the documents and sanctions the financial assistance. Additionally, applicants who are Income Tax payers are not eligible to receive benefits under the scheme.

This scheme reflects the Government of Madhya Pradesh's commitment to supporting citizens who wish to undertake the sacred Sindhu Darshan Yatra by providing financial assistance and ensuring a transparent beneficiary selection process through district-level administration.

Scheme Benefits

• Financial assistance equal to 50% of the actual travel expenses or ₹10,000, whichever is lower, is provided to eligible pilgrims after completion of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra.
• The assistance is released only after verification of the prescribed documents and proof of the completed pilgrimage.
• The benefit is available only once in a lifetime.
• If the number of applications exceeds the available district quota, beneficiaries are selected through a computerized lottery, ensuring a transparent selection process.
• A 10% waiting list is prepared so that vacant seats can be allotted if any selected applicant does not undertake the pilgrimage.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must fulfill all of the following conditions:

• The applicant must be a permanent resident of Madhya Pradesh.
• The applicant must undertake the Sindhu Darshan Yatra in Ladakh.
• The applicant must be selected under the prescribed process conducted for the pilgrimage.
• The applicant can receive financial assistance only once during his/her lifetime.
• The applicant must not be an Income Tax payer. (Added through the amendment dated 16 December 2016.)

Required Documents

Applicants should submit the prescribed application/claim form along with the following documents:

• Proof of completion of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra.
• Proof/details of travel expenditure.
• Certificate of selection issued by the District Collector (if prescribed).
• Valid identity proof.
• Duly filled prescribed claim/application form

Note: The prescribed claim form also requires applicants to provide personal details such as their name, father's/husband's name, occupation, residential address, travel details, and declaration regarding the pilgrimage.

Steps to Apply

• Step 1: Wait for the Application Notification
  • Interested applicants should wait for the District Collector of their respective district to invite applications for the Sindhu Darshan Yatra.
  • Applications can be submitted only after the district administration issues the official notification.
• Step 2: Submit the Prescribed Application Form
  • Fill in the prescribed application form with the required personal details and submit it to the District Administration within the specified application period along with the necessary documents, if required.
• Step 3: Selection of Pilgrims
  • If the number of applications received is more than the district's allotted quota, eligible applicants are selected through a computerized lottery.
  • A waiting list of 10% additional applicants is also prepared.
  • If any selected pilgrim does not undertake the journey, a person from the waiting list may be selected in his/her place.
• Step 4: Undertake the Sindhu Darshan Yatra
  • Applicants selected for the pilgrimage should complete the Sindhu Darshan Yatra and preserve all relevant travel documents and expenditure records, as these are required for claiming financial assistance.
• Step 5: Submit the Financial Assistance Claim
  • After completing the pilgrimage, the beneficiary must submit the prescribed claim form along with the required supporting documents, including proof of completion of the Sindhu Darshan Yatra and proof of travel expenditure, to the District Collector within 60 days from the date of completion of the journey.
• Step 6: Verification of Documents
  • The District Collector verifies the claim form and all supporting documents submitted by the beneficiary.
  • Financial assistance is processed only after successful verification of the prescribed records.
• Step 7: Release of Financial Assistance
  • Once the verification process is completed and the claim is found to be eligible, the District Collector sanctions and releases the admissible financial assistance to the beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the scheme.
  • This claim submission and payment procedure is applicable as per the amendment issued on 31 May 2016.

Beneficiary Selection Process

• Applications are invited by the District Collector.
• Beneficiaries are selected according to the district quota.
• If applications exceed the available quota, selection is made through a computerized lottery.
• A 10% waiting list is prepared to fill vacancies arising due to cancellation or non-participation by selected applicants.
• Where both husband and wife apply, they are treated as one unit during the lottery process. If selected, the required number of available seats is reduced accordingly.

Important Conditions

• Financial assistance can be availed only once in a lifetime.
• The applicant must submit the claim within 60 days after completion of the pilgrimage.
• Proof of completing the pilgrimage and proof of travel expenditure must be submitted with the claim.
• Only verified claims are eligible for financial assistance.
• Income Tax payers are not eligible for assistance under the scheme.

Relevant Links

• Official Website of Dharmik Nyas Evam Dharmswa Vibhag, Government of Madhya Pradesh
• Application Form of Mukhyamantri Sindhu Darshan Yatra Yojana
• Guidelines of Mukhyamantri Sindhu Darshan Yatra Yojana

Contact Information

Religious Trusts and Religious Endowments Department

• Address: 74-D, Mantralaya, Vallabh Bhavan, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh – 462008
• Phone: 07552512091, 07342991135, 07552575536
• Email: [email protected]