New Delji, September 02: The Indian Government has simplified the Haj quota allocation process for private tour operators (PTOs), by doing away with the mandatory requirement of having experience in this regard, reported the Press Trust of India (PTI).
According to the report, the decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister Somanhalli Mallaiah Krishna in compliance with the various court cases of 2008 and 2009.
The decision was taken for ensuring openness, transparency, equity and providing equal opportunity to those PTOs.
As per the 2009 Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, Indian Haj pilgrims quota stands at 160,491, out of which 1,15,000 pilgrims are to be sent through the Haj Committee and the remaining 45,491 through PTOs, said the PTI report.
Until 2008, Haj quota was distributed among PTOs on the basis of their qualifications and experience. Because of this, no new PTO could qualify for Haj quota owing to their lack of experience and several of them approached the courts, it added.
The report further said that since 2008, various court decisions have underlined the need for equitable and fair allocation of Haj quota among all the eligible PTOs, including newer applicants.
-PTI