Hyderabad, February 18: Expressing serious concern over the fact that every year thousands of Hajj Pilgrims from across the country face hurdles while embarking on the annual pilgrimage, a Parliamentary Coordination Committee has suggested a slew of measures to make the pilgrimage hassle-free.
Revealing this to media persons on Thursday, member of the Parliamentary Coordination Committee, Syed Aziz Pasha said that the incidences of the pilgrims being duped by the Private Tour Operators, which cater to about 40 per cent of the pilgrims was taken note of. Apart from this, the travails of a pilgrim while securing a passport to making arrangements were also discussed thoroughly, the Rajya Sabha Member revealed.
He said that the Parliamentary Coordination Committee has suggested that an open bidding system should be introduced so that airlines which provide the best possible services with the minimum possible fares can be selected to ferry the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.
The government has also been suggested that passports for the pilgrims should be given within four days of applying. The facility to renew these passports should also be available.
Apart from this, a Vigilance Cell should be set up to monitor the Private Tour Operators so that they do not take the pilgrims for a ride.
The Cell should be empowered enough to see that the PTOs provide the facilities they charge for to the pilgrims, in India and in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to this, the Parliamentary Coordination Committee suggested that the government ensures that medical camps with standby ambulances would be made available in Makkah and Madina for the Hajj Pilgrims so that the pilgrims do not lack medical treatment. The Rajyas Sabha MP said that the government has already earmarked and sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the purpose.
Moreover, the elderly pilgrims will be given special attention with facilities such as wheelchairs provided for them.
INN