New Delhi: The central government has announced a new Haj policy in which 80 per cent pilgrims will be under the government quota and 20 per cent through private Haj groups. The total number of pilgrims allowed this year by the Saudi government is 1,75,025.
On Monday, the ministry announced the Haj policy. Central Haj Committee Chairman A.P. Abdullakutty, informed reporters at Kerala House in Delhi that applications for Haj will be accepted within two or three days.
Last year the government-private quota was in 70:30 ratio, meaning a 10 per cent reduction in the private operators' quota. In addition, the VIP Haj quota has been scrapped this year. The pilgrims will be selected by lottery for the government quota.
Another major difference this year will be the abolition of application fee of Rs 300; application will be free of cost.
Kerala, a state with the highest percentage of applicants in proportion to population, will have three embarkation points this time: Kannur, Kozhikode and Kochi. Kannur International Airport is getting this status for the first time; the total number of Haj departure points in the country will thus rise to 25.
This year, the haj policy declaration and procedure for selection of pilgrims has been considerably delayed and a delegation that met the Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Smriti Irani the other day had raised this matter as well. The Minister then assured the delegation that steps were being taken expeditiously and soon the details would be released.
Abdullakutty claimed that before digital application started, the application was received on November 1 and now thanks to the switch to digital mode this cannot be treated as delay, and that there is no basis in the allegation that the pilgrims have suffered due to the delay in the Haj policy.
The chairman said that since the Saudi government has given an opportunity for 1,75,025 people this time, more people will get an opportunity more than last year.
Abdullakutty also clarified that the private agencies' quota has been reduced from 30 to 20 percent in the face of many complaints against such groups, including charging high fees.
The Haj Committee Chairman also said that some decisions have been taken to minimize the cost of Haj pilgrimage and due to this, there will be a cost reduction of at least half a lakh rupees per pilgrim this year.
He clarified said that as part of this, the Haj committee will not provide umbrellas, bags, etc. to the pilgrims this year. The pilgrims should bring bags and umbrellas themselves. He also alleged that corruption was going on because of such arrangements.
The Central Haj Committee had sacked three deputy CEOs in connection with the bag distribution scandal. The investigation is ongoing.
Also this time, the Haj Committee will not make arrangement to buy Indian Rupees from pilgrims and convert them into Saudi Riyals.
Abdullakutty explained that the Narendra Modi government's Haj policy for this year was prepared under the leadership of Union Minorities Minister Smriti Irani after consultation with various religious leaders of the country and seeking opinions from the states.