With an aim of providing free pilgrimage for people from all sections of society, the Punjab government had started "Mukh Mantri Tirath Darshan Yatra Yojana" under which pilgrims from all parts of the state have been visiting various places of religious importance through trains as well as buses. A Jatha comprising pilgrims from Payal constituency today left for the yatra of Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar in buses from Grain Market, here early today morning. These buses were flagged off by Punjab Vidhan Sabha speaker Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal and other senior Akali leaders.On this occasion, Dr Charanjit Singh Atwal said that this scheme has been benefiting a large number of people throughout the state. It is pertinent to mention that the pilgrims would be provided all facilities totally free of cost. These pilgrims would be accompanied by government officials as well.
He thanked Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal for starting this scheme, which has been well received by people from all sections of the society. He said that pilgrimage by buses have been started because some people could not go on pilgrimages to far off places. And now with the help of buses plying under this scheme, these people can also pay obeisance at places of religious importance. He informed that this pilgrimage would be totally free of cost and these buses would continue plying from all constituencies on regular basis.Later, Dr Atwal distributed cheques for development works at villages Ghaloti, Rano, Jalla, Afzullapur, Dhamot Kalan and also distributed newly made 102 blue cards to the beneficiaries. While addressing the gathering, he said that the Punjab government has started several welfare schemes as per the needs of all sections of the society. He said that lakhs of people are directly benefiting from the Atta-Dal scheme.Prominent among those present on the occasion included Youth Akali Dal leader Gurdeep Singh Rano, SAD (Kisan Wing) District President Sukhwant Singh Tillu, Istri Akali Dal District President Bibi Inderjit Kaur, Bibi Samanpreet Kaur, besides several others.