Controversy over Qurbani resolved
M J Akhter / AMN
New Delhi: Centre today assured Haj pilgrims to provide better facilities during their journey. Government has taken corrective measures to deal with problems faced by pilgrims last year.
Admitting to problems faced by the Haj pilgrims last year, Minister of State (I/C) for External Affairs dealing with Haj affairs Gen (retd) V K Singh said he would carry out surprise visits to see if poor services are being offered to pilgrims by different agencies involved in the Haj process and warned that action would be taken those who do not fulfil their duties.
Speaking at the All India Haj Conference her today, he said all airlines, including Air India, entrusted with the job of flying pilgrims had been asked to offer quality services and catering facilities too were improved.
“I hope when pilgrims come back, they will tell us that the service this time was better than the last time,” he said.
Minister said it was still better than the year before and added that it would be better still this year. Over 3.83 lakh muslims applied for Haj this year against the Indian quota of over 1.20 lakh pilgrims.
Singh also took questions from delegates, who had arrived from different states, as he offered them assurance of better services.
“There would be less difficulty and more transparency,” he said. Singh also announced that pilgrims embarking on the Haj-bound plane from Srinagar would have to pay USD 1,890 this year against USD 2,635 paid earlier.
Pilgrims would be given standardised luggage as there were complaints from Saudi authorities about different kinds of luggages brought by Indian pilgrims.
Singh said he had taken up the matter of increasing Indian quota with the Saudi government and was hopeful of a positive response in the coming years.
The Controversial issue of Qurbani has also been resolved and now it can be done by jointly by Haj Committee or by individuals themselves, informed Qaisar Shameem the Chaiman of haj committee.
Earlier, Chairman of the Hajj Committee of India Qaisar Shameem outlined the activities of Haj Committee. He said that this year the Hajj operation will be of 74 day. It will begin on August 16 and end on October 28.
One lakh twenty thousand Haj pilgrim will go to Haj through Haj Committee this year.
Chairman, executive officers of all the State Haj Committees, as well as several MPs, state ministers, legislators, non-governmental organizations engaged in the service of pilgrims representatives, representatives of private tour operators, Air India, Saudi Airlines and Civil Aviation Ministry officials and others were present in the conference.