4 min readNew DelhiJun 25, 2025 04:28 AM IST
First published on: Jun 24, 2025 at 05:26 PM IST
With the annual Kanwar pilgrimage set to begin next month, the Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, on Tuesday approved a proposal to provide funds up to Rs 10 lakh to registered Kanwar Yatra committees through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
“The Cabinet has taken a historic decision. The previous government only committed corruption in the name of providing facilities to the Kanwar Yatris… The Kanwar committees (which oversee the arrangements for the pilgrimage) will now receive grant-in-aid via DBT, ending the old tender-based system that was prone to corruption and substandard material supply,” Gupta told mediapersons.
Stating that this move will enhance transparency and efficiency, the CM said the Kanwar camps will be classified based on the area where they would set up tents for devotees and the number of days they would operate. She added that the committees will be eligible for a minimum grant of Rs 50,000 and a maximum of Rs 10 lakh. Only registered committees with valid PAN, bank account details, and registration certificates will be eligible for the grant.
To finalise a list of committees that will receive the grant, a new panel has been formed, led by Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra. The registration process for the same started on Tuesday. The government will also set up ‘Mukhyamantri Dharmik Utsav Smiti’ to look into religious events to be observed in the future.
Officials said that Kanwar committees that are not registered will be given seven days to apply for registration.
Gupta said the system has been implemented to curb corruption and provide better facilities. Criticising the previous regime, Gupta said that during its tenure, the AAP government would issue tenders, selecting one or two people while spending crores of rupees. However, in reality, the people did not benefit from these services, she said.
“As it is the first time, the Kanwar committees will be given time to apply for funds till July 30. The Kanwar camps will be more than tents. Proper medical facilities, a toilet block, sanitation, water, and security will be provided by the government. Electricity up to 1,200 units will be provided to the committees free of cost. Civil defence volunteers and home guards will be deployed in all these camps,” said the CM.
Under the new scheme, Gupta said the number of committees is expected to double. “Till last year, about 170 Kanwar committees used to set up tents and make arrangements for the yatris,” she said, adding that a single window system, monitored by the district magistrates, will look into it from now on.
“The application process and selection will be cleared within 72 hours… The government will provide 50% of the payment first, and the remaining amount after the completion of the event,” said Gupta.
She also said that the committees will have to submit bills, and payments will be made in three months. She added that grant disbursement will follow a ‘first-come first-serve’ policy to prioritise timely applicants. Additionally, recommendations from the local MLA/or MP and/or ministers will be mandatory for approval of any Kanwar campsite. The camps to be set up will be geo-verified, and audit reports must be submitted within three months of the event, the CM said.
During the Kanwar pilgrimage, Shiva devotees travel to Haridwar, Gaumukh, and Gangotri in Uttarakhand to collect water from the Ganga and later pour the sacred water over the Shiva Linga at their local temples.
CM Gupta criticised the previous government, stating that during its tenure, the AAP government would issue tenders, selecting one or two people while spending crores of rupees. (File photo) 
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