Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali today addressed a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, urging her to re-allocate the quota of Hajis of various States and country to the Telangana to utilize it to visit the holy place of Mecca Madina by the Telangana State pilgrims.
In his letter, Mahmood Ali said it could be seen from the reports with regard to the tour taken up by the Pilgrims from other States, it was noticed that some of the States were not required quota was being filled up due to lack of demand. Therefore, it may be desirable that, the quota which was not being utilized by the respective States may be re-allotted to the State of Telangana as there was acute demand for more slots here. Further, it was to bring to the notice of the External Affairs Minister that the Hajis from the country of Iran also were reportedly not being utilizing the quota allotted to them to visit the holy place of Mecca and Madina only this year.
It was also reported that some 20,000 additional quota was given to India to enable the Hajis to pay visit to Mecca and Madina to offer prayers. Out of the said quota, if the major share was re-allotted to the State, it will facilitate to accommodate more number of Hajis to send from this State. It may be desirable, if such quota was also re-allotted to the country the same may be allotted to the State of Telangana, keeping in view of the heavy demand from the Hajis of this State. He urged Sushma Swaraj to take up this issue and to do needful by taking up appropriate steps, duly conducting necessary deliberations with the authorities concerned so as to enable the Hajis from Telangana State to take up pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina. (NSS)