India, Jan. 31 -- Ahead of implementing the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana (SJDY), the Odisha Government has asked all district collectors to personally monitor and expedite the collection of consent forms from eligible beneficiaries. The SJDY is to facilitate economically weaker senior citizens and widows of all ages in fulfilling their long-cherished dream of visiting the holy shrine of Lord Jagannath Mahaprabhu at Puri, an official order said.

Under the provisions of the scheme, the state Government will take care of the travel, stay and food of the beneficiaries. While the night halt arrangements will be made at Puri for the beneficiaries from 21 districts, the devotees of eight other coastal districts will undertake a day tour to the...