The lucky draw to select the pilgrims for Haj 2012 will be held across the country from May 7 to May 15.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Haj Committee of India CEO Syed Shaker Hussain informed that the State Haj Committees have received over 3.11 lakh applications this year. Last year the number was 3.02 lakh. The maximum applications were received from Kerela. However, since the HCI’s quota for Haj 2012 is just 1.25 lakh, lucky draws would be held across the country to select the pilgrims. As many as 45,000 pilgrims would go for Haj pilgrimage through private tour operators.
The intending pilgrims of over 70 years of age have been selected directly and the applications of aspirants who did not get selected for the last three years have also been approved.
Shaker Hussain said that it would be compulsory for the selected pilgrims to attend the training camps which would be held across the country. The HCI has also published Haj Guides in English, Hindi and Urdu languages for the benefit of pilgrims. The pilgrims would also be issued Health and Training cards. Further, the pilgrims would be able to get their cover numbers by entering their passport number. He said arrangements were being made to received online applications from the next year.
The HCI CEO refused to comment on the controversy over the Haj subsidy. He said the Haj Committee of India was not a direct party in the case and it was being contested by the Central Government. However, he said as against the air-fare of Rs 48,000 per pilgrim, the HCI collects Rs 16,000 towards air-fare and the remaining amount is reimbursed to Air India as Haj subsidy by the Central Government.
Shaker Hussain warned that the HCI would forfeit the deposit of intending pilgrims in cases where aspirants are going for Haj for the second time.
The Andhra Pradesh State Haj Committee has received a total of 16,752 applications. Of them, 728 have been reserved as applicants are of more than 70 years of age. Similarly, 689 pilgrims who have applied for the fourth time have been directly selected. The lucky draw for State pilgrims would be held on May 10. (INN)