The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Tour operators for Israel pilgrimage

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Friday, Jun 27, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Tour operators for Israel pilgrimage

Notification will be issued soon

HYDERABAD: State Government is shortly issuing a notification inviting tour operators to organise subsidised pilgrimage for Christians to visit to Holy Land.

Officials informed the Assembly Committee on Minority Welfare chaired by Shaik Subhani (Congress) here on Thursday that a notification would be issued soon asking the operators to come up with proposals for the proposed tour of Israel for Christians. Replying to a question by nominated MLA Christine Lazarus, officials of the minority welfare department stated that the Government had already prepared an action plan to send Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land by providing subsidy. Sources said the first batch of pilgrims is likely to leave Hyderabad in August. Explaining the salient features of the guidelines, officials pointed out that White ration card holders would be given preference.

The Government has earmarked Rs. 2 crore for the pilgrimage. The meeting was informed that the tour would be of five days duration, which would cover places such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Jordan River, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee and those around Dead Sea. Plans are afoot to send batches of tourists comprising 50 to 100 with two tour guides, who are well versed in Jewish.

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