Hyderabad, August 14: As a result of the efforts of the Minister for Minorities Welfare Mr. Mohammed Ahmadullah the cost of Haj pilgrimage has come down to around Rs. 7,000 per head compared to the last year.
The Haj pilgrims’ Rights Protection Committee of India, Kurnool District had complained to the Minister that last year the bank to which, the tender was allotted distributed Foreign exchange of Saudi Riyals at the rate or Rs. 13.50 per Riyal, while the rates prevailing in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India was Rs. 12 per Riyal. The higher rates caused substantial loss to pilgrims from the country.
Reacting on the complaint Mr. Ahmadullah represented the matter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. SM Krishna and the Central Haj Committee, Mumbai and requested to ensure that justice should be done with the pilgrims in the years to come.
Consequent upon the representation during the current Haj season the rate of the Riyal was fixed at Rs. 12.20 per Riyal, thus saving approximately Rs. 7,000 per head.
Last year the pilgrims under Green category paid Rs. 1, 28, 500 per head, while this year as a result of reduction in the currency rate the pilgrims will have to pay Rs. 1, 19, 600 per head.
President of the Haj rights protection committee Mr. Mohammed Pasha and general secretary Mr. S Chand Pasha Advocate thanked the Minister and said that due to his efforts the Haj pilgrims from all over the country will save their hard earned money.
The total savings for the Haj pilgrims from the country will be to a tune of Rs. 73 crores , as 1.05 lakh pilgrims will leave for Haj through Haj Committee of India. (INN)