The Punjab government’s Mukhyamantri Tirath Yatra Yojana was presented as a welfare scheme, in which free religious pilgrimage was to be conducted for the senior citizens of Punjab. Crores of rupees are being spent from the government budget for this scheme. The Punjab government has allocated Rs 312 crore in the state budget for this scheme.
The direct question is also, was there really a need for such a scheme in Punjab? Was this scheme more important than other important issues?
Money belongs to Punjab, but whose benefit?
This scheme is being run entirely with Punjab’s money. Buses, accommodation, food and drink, medical and administrative expenses, everything is being done from the government budget, that is, at Punjab’s expense.
When Punjab is already struggling with crises like debt, unemployment, health, education and drugs, is this the most efficient use of people’s money?
On the other hand, the ground reality is that private buses registered in Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are being used for this scheme. Why is Punjab’s money being looted with both hands? Have government or private buses ended in Punjab?
Yes, here and there, Punjab Roadways buses are definitely seen in their dilapidated condition. Seeing which, one is forced to think that instead of looting government money, billboards and other states, could not this government money have been spent on improvement works in Punjab, otherwise the condition of the roadways itself could have been improved.
The government’s justification can be that this is part of the contract or outsourcing system.
But, then the question becomes even more serious that if the scheme is being implemented with Punjab’s money, then why is Punjab dependent on external private networks instead of strengthening its own transport system?
Don’t the people of Punjab have the right to know:
To whom were these contracts awarded?
With how much transparency were the tenders awarded?
How much does a bus or a passenger cost?
After all, the burden of this expenditure has to fall on Punjab itself, so should the people of Punjab also know the cost or not?
This scheme is said to be for the residents of Punjab. But if we look at the ground level, is it really for Punjabis? At the ground level, the inspection system of the scheme does not seem to be completely transparent.
This is the reason why questions arise. When people’s money is being used, transparency also becomes mandatory.
This matter is a matter related to religious pilgrimage and people’s faith. That is why such schemes immediately gain a foothold among the people. But based on the facts, it is also necessary to see who benefits from it?
Was this an issue without which Punjab was not moving forward?
People used to make religious pilgrimages in the past and will continue to do so. However, the purpose of this scheme is incomprehensible amidst many burning issues.
Did this lead to any development? Did any money come into the account of the government or Punjab?
Did religious institutions send any such message to the Punjab government that the number of pilgrims is decreasing and appeal or demand for help was made?
Has this brought any benefit in terms of health, education, increasing jobs or reducing drugs and crime?
Or was it just a new way of garnering votes and looting Punjab’s money?
The issue is not why people make religious pilgrimages. The issue is what should be the priority of Punjab’s limited government resources?
That too at a time when, on the one hand, Punjab is struggling with lack of government schools, hospitals, unemployment and infrastructure, and on the other hand, crores of rupees are being spent on such a scheme, for which there is no clear accountability or responsibility.
Therefore, asking questions about this scheme is not against any religion, but a legitimate discussion about due accountability.
As far as we know, no religious institution has appealed to the Punjab government to start this scheme, nor has its need been stated.
But then what was the purpose of such a scheme, no clear answer has come to light till date.
Is there any conduct, operational system for this pilgrimage scheme of the Punjab government?
Pilgrims roam around religious places, especially gurdwaras, as if they have come for a picnic. Wearing saris, small blouses, caps on their heads, talking loudly, there is no decency, no respect. This is not a hearsay, but an eye-witnessed behavior in the beginning of May, and here the fault lies not with the devotees but with the management.
Let me clarify that in normal life, you can wear whatever you want.
However, when we go to a religious place, the dress should be according to the etiquette of that place or place, like, wearing a school uniform is mandatory while going to school.
We should understand that pilgrimage is not just a free trip, it is a matter of faith and respect.
Many travelers will be found in this journey who may have nothing to do with Punjab.
And many have nothing to do with those religious places either. They seem to have come for a walk in the company garden.
Many do not follow any etiquette, where it is clearly written that photography is allowed, there you can see people openly taking photographs with bare heads. Even if they put ID cards in their mouths, they ignore them even after repeated requests.
The government should ensure that if they are running pilgrimage schemes, then it is the government’s responsibility to ensure basic awareness and ground guidance? Hopefully, this will be paid attention to in the future.
It seems that these elected governments have made Punjab such a state that if it spits out, it turns into a blind person, if it eats, it turns into a leper.