New Delhi, July 08: Most of the Haj pilgrims may not even know the complexities of the currency movement but have been asked to cough up Rs 5,000 more for the pilgrimage they had completed last year, a CPI(M) Member in the Rajya Sabha said.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Moinul Hassan said the Mumbai Haj Committee which is managed “unprofessionally” had sent an unsigned letter seeking extra sum from the Hajis.
The reason cited by the committee for extra money related to depreciation of the Rupee against Saudi Riyal, Mr. Hassan said.
“If the exchange rate (of Riyal) had gone down, would the Haj Committee return the money to pilgrims,” he asked.
Mr. Hassan was supported by his colleagues from the Left parties.
In the last one year, the Indian currency has depreciated by about 13 per cent against the Saudi currency. At present one Riyal is equal to about Rs 13.
Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan assured the members that External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna had taken note of the issue raised.
–PTI