This year, more people cancel haj after being selected

Kondotty: The number of haj applicants from Kerala cancelling their travel after getting selected is found to be on the increase.

1,300 applicants who had got selected by the State Haj Committee this year have pulled out due to various reasons. The number of cancellations this year is said to be double that of last year, which was 700. In 2016, cancelled cases were 800. And in the preceding year about 700-800 had backed out from the list.

It is pointed that the current increase in cancellations is due to the changes in haj policy. Earlier, applicants were automatically selected after five consecutive applications Most of them were preparing their finances in line with this. But with the new policy, the fifth time applications no longer enjoy the priority, thus leaving more chances for those over 70 years of age and in the category of without mehram (women who did not have mehram - men in such relationship as prohibits marriage).

All the other applicants are treated under general category. This time there were 69,783 applicants from Kerala against a state quota of 10,981. In the category of 70+ and their escorts 1,270 and in the category of women without mehram 1,124 women got selected without lots, thus totalling 2,394 seats. The remaining 8,587 pilgrims are selected through lot. The cancellations reported are from this category. In their place, 1,300 new applicants were offered seats by the Central Haj Committee. However, more pilgrims are likely to cancel their trips by the time the final list is prepared.