50 pc grant for pilgrims going to Pakistan

Indore, May 08: The Madhya Pradesh Government will provide 50 per cent grant to pilgrims from the state undertaking visit to Hinglaj Devi in Pakistan. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made the announcement on the occasion of Parashuram Jayanti today at the birthplace of Lord Pashuram at Janapav near Mhow. He announced that a state holiday would be observed on 'Parashuram Jayanti' from next year.

Chouhan said a panchayat of priests would be convened soon in order to resolve their problems. “Funds would not be an impediment in the development of Lord Parashuram's birthplace. An amount of Rs 11 crore would be spent on the construction of a Parashuram temple, yagyashala, gaushala and museum,” he said. The Chief Minister said the government planned to develop all cultural spots in the state. These would include developing Narmada Parikrama route and 'Ram van gaman' route. Criticising those describing development of cultural heritages as communalism, he said basic facilities would be developed at places of belief and reverence.

He said the government had passed the Bill envisaging tough action against those involved in forcible conversion and cow slaughter and sent it to the Centre urging early approval for the same. State minister Anoop Mishra, Narottam Mishra, Lakshmikant Sharma, Kailash Vijaywargiya, state BJP President Narendra Singh Tomar and former Chief Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya were present. The Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that Janapav, the birthplace of Bhagwan Parashuram developed to make it an international centre of pilgrimage. Chouhan was addressing a massive public meeting at Janapav today. He performed Bhoomi Pujan for development works worth about 11 crore there on the occasion.

Former Chief Minister Kailash Joshi presided over the function attended among others by BJP state president Narendra Singh Tomar, vice president Anil Dave. The Chief Minister accorded sanction for various development works at Janapav including construction of a road from AB road to Janapav, electrification of the road, drinking water arrangement, renovation of the pond, construction of a grand temple and a Dharmshala, ambulatory path, museum, research seat, Bhojnalaya and a huge gate on AB road. Presiding over the function Kailash Joshi said that Bhagwan Parashuram strived to shape an egalitarian society. He initiated a movement through which thousands of people were made cultured. He lauded the initiative of the state government to develop Janapav as a pilgrimage centre.