Kashi Yatra Scheme - Objective, Features, and Eligibility!

Kashi Yatra Scheme, Karnataka government's initiative, provides financial assistance to pilgrims from Karnataka to undertake pilgrimage to Varanasi.

This topic of “Kashi Yatra Scheme ” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination which falls under General Studies Paper 2 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1

What is Kashi Yatra Scheme

The Kashi Yatra Scheme is a government initiative that provides financial assistance to pilgrims from Karnataka who wish to undertake a pilgrimage to Varanasi, a holy city in Uttar Pradesh. The scheme was launched in the 2022-23 budget by the Karnataka government, and it is expected to benefit around 30,000 pilgrims in the first year.

Objectives of the Scheme

The scheme aims to make the pilgrimage more affordable for economically disadvantaged people by subsidizing the cost of travel and accommodation. It is expected to benefit around 30,000 pilgrims in the first year.

The main objectives of the scheme are to:

• Enable underprivileged citizens to undertake the religious journey
• Promote religious tourism from Karnataka
• Boost the local economy of Varanasi

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Key Features of Kashi Yatra Scheme

The key features of the Kashi Yatra Scheme are as follows:

• The scheme provides a financial assistance of Rs. 5,000 per pilgrim.
• The scheme is open to all citizens of Karnataka who are over the age of 18 years.
• The pilgrims must be residents of Karnataka for at least 10 years.
• The pilgrims must have a valid passport or voter ID card.
• The pilgrims must submit an application form to the concerned authorities.
• The pilgrims must also submit a copy of their passport or voter ID card, along with a recent photograph.

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Eligibility of Kashi Yatra Scheme

The eligibility criteria for the Kashi Yatra Scheme are as follows:

• The applicant must be a citizen of India.
• The applicant must be a resident of Karnataka for at least 10 years.
• The applicant must be over the age of 18 years.
• The applicant must be Hindu by religion.

The applicant must have a valid passport or voter ID card.

Significance of Kashi Yatra Scheme

The Kashi Yatra Scheme is a significant initiative that will benefit a large number of people in Karnataka. The scheme will help to make pilgrimages to Varanasi more affordable and accessible, and it will also boost the local economy of Varanasi.

The scheme is also significant because it promotes religious tourism in Karnataka. Varanasi is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus, and the scheme will encourage more people from Karnataka to visit the city. This will help to boost the tourism industry in Karnataka and create jobs for local people.

Way Forward

The Kashi Yatra Scheme is a positive initiative that has the potential to benefit a large number of people. The government should continue to support the scheme and make it more accessible to people from all walks of life.

The government can also consider expanding the scope of the scheme to include other pilgrimage destinations in Karnataka. This would help to promote religious tourism in the state and create more opportunities for economic development.

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Conclusion

The Kashi Yatra Scheme is an initiative that has been well-received and is expected to have a positive impact on a large number of individuals in Karnataka. The scheme aims to enhance the affordability and accessibility of pilgrimages to Varanasi, while also boosting the local economy of the city.

This scheme holds significance as it encourages religious tourism from Karnataka to Varanasi, which is a prominent pilgrimage site for Hindus. By promoting visits to Varanasi, the scheme is expected to contribute to the growth of Karnataka's tourism industry, leading to job creation and economic benefits for local communities.

It is recommended that the government continues to support and improve the Kashi Yatra Scheme, ensuring its accessibility to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, there is potential for the scheme to be expanded to include other pilgrimage destinations within Karnataka, which would further stimulate religious tourism in the state and create additional opportunities for economic development.

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