Himachal Pradesh govt. has approved Dev Bhoomi Darshan Yojana 2024 for senior citizens to make them visit sacred places in the state. Under this scheme, all the senior citizens in the age group of 70 to 80 years will get 50% discount while travelling in buses to holy places. All the elderly citizens above 80 years will get 100% discount in buses i.e they will not have to pay any fare under Dev Bhumi Darshan Yojana.
The state govt. has also approved to increase the old age pension amount for ex-servicemen or war widows from Rs. 500 to Rs. 3000. The state govt. has also approved to start Vigyan Gram Yojana in 5 districts. This scheme will start in Chamba, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur districts in the state to boost agricultural production, non-farming activities and to preserve available resources.
For water conservation and rainwater harvesting, govt. has started “Jal se Krishi Ko Bal Yojana”. The state govt. has allocated a budgetary provision of Rs. 250 crore for this scheme. To encourage tourism, govt. has started “Aaj Purani Raaho Se” Yojana.
HP Dev Bhoomi Darshan Yojana for Senior Citizens
The important features and highlights of Dev Bhumi Darshan Yojana are as follows:-
- The state govt. will provide relief in travel expenses to senior citizens to enable them to visit sacred places in the state.
- All the senior citizens between the age group of 70 to 80 years will get 50% discount in buses while travelling to dev bhumi.
- In addition to this, senior citizens who are 80 years or above in age will get full 100% discount in bus travel. They will not have to bear any expense while travelling to holy places under Dev Bhoomi Darshan Yojana.
Various other decisions were also taken in the cabinet meeting. In Fire Department, govt. would fill vacant posts for station fire officers, driver-cum-pump operator, firemen posts on contractual basis. In forest department, the state govt. has approved to fill forest guards posts.