Hyderabad: Dy. CM of Telangana State, Mr. Mohammed Mahmood Ali called on Ms. Sushma Swaraj, Minister for External Affairs, Govt. of India in New Delhi and made an appeal to enhance the quota of Hajj pilgrims for Telangana State. He told her that Telangana has a population of 45 lakh Muslims. Accordingly, the State should get 4000 seats. Out of the quota allotted for the State, 2200 seats were filled up without draw under reserved categories. Draw was held only for 325 seats. In this way, thousands of applicants were disappointed. Ms. Sushma Swaraj gave a patient hearing to the representation made by Mr. Mahmood Ali and assured him that she would make an attempt to allot special quota for the state. She also applauded the steps taken by TRS Govt. for the welfare of Minorities.
Mr. Mahmood Ali also appealed to her for the setting up of Saudi Consulate in Hyderabad for which acceptance has been accorded in principle and the approval of the Central Govt. is awaited. With the establishment of Saudi consulate in Hyderabad the Hajj pilgrims and other citizens of the State will get benefit.
It may be mentioned that more than eight lakh Hyderabadi are working in Saudi Arabia. They are facing a lot of problems. With the establishment of Saudi Consulate in Hyderabad, they will get the facilities of representations. Ms. Sushma Swaraj assured that she would review the situation and consider it sympathetically.
Mr. Mahmood Ali told that Saudi Ambassador is visiting Hyderabad next month and negotiations for the establishment of Saudi Consulate in Hyderabad would be discussed with him on that occasion. Present on this occasion was Mr. Venugopalachari, representative of Govt. of Telangana in New Delhi.
–Siasat News