Bangalore, June 23: The selection of residential accommodations in Makkah and Madina for Haj pilgrims will be done by computer system to avoid any favoritism. In the past, the Consul General of India at Saudi Arabia used to get nearby residences allotted for he Haj pilgrims of his native state. This system has completely changed now. Green category Haj pilgrims will be provided accommodation within 1200 meters from Haram Shareef, whereas the Haj pilgrims falling under White category will get accommodation at a distance of 2000 meters from Haram Shareef. Those falling under Azeezia Category will be allotted buildings 7 Kms. away from Haram Shareef.
Mr. Akram Basha, Private Secretary to State Minister of Haj and Wakf had visited Saudi Arabia as a member of selection of building team. He submitted a report to Consul General of India in Jeddah. He told that buildings in Azeezia are spacious and comfortable but little far away from Haram Shareef. He also revealed the fact that most of the nearby house owners prefer to give their buildings to private Haj Tour operators rather than giving to Haj Committee because the private operators pay more rents.
Haj Committee charges 4000 Saudi Riyals for Green Category accommodation 3,000 riyals for white category Hajis and 2,500 for the houses situated in Azeezia area. Earlier, Haj Mission of India used to arrange buses for the Hajis residing in Azeezia area, but this time this responsibility has been entrusted to Muallims concerned. Hajis staying in Azeezia will have to face inconvenience only for 4 to 5 days when there is rush of pilgrims. On the other days, there is no problem of heavy traffic. He informed that this year, Haj Committee is arraigning accommodation for 1,20,000 pilgrims, out of which a report has been finalized for 41,000 pilgrims so far.
He said that soon after flying from Bangalore, the list of Haj pilgrims will be sent to Jeddah where computerized allotment will be done.
——Siasat News