Saibaba Sansthan to issue 'VIP Darshan' passes for Rs 100

A three-member committee of the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Management Board (SSMB) meeting has decided to issue 'VIP Darshan' pass on all days at Rs 100 per person with effect from April 1, official sources said on Tuesday.

The move would enable anybody visiting Shirdi to get 'VIP Darshan' passes by paying Rs 100 per person from for the entire week instead of only Saturday and sunday, SSST Executive Officer Rajendra Jadhav said.

Jadhav told PTI that the aim behind this decision is not to earn more money but to control crowds and remove "discrimination" in the system.

The SSST has provided pure water and breakfast free of cost to these devotees and a pandals is also installed during rush of pilgrims.

SSST has also made arrangment for a special queue for old-aged, disabled persons with providing a assistant to disabled person as per existing system, Jadhav said.

According to official figures, 25,9,088 devotees had paid darshan between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014 while 4,44,876 devotees took free VIP Darshan on the basis on recommendations.