Hyderabad, August 04: The State Government has opened a Special Passport Counter (SPC) for people going on Haj and Umrah pilgrimage through private tour operators from the State this year.
The counter, inaugurated by Minister for Minorities Welfare Mohd Ahmadullah at the AP State Haj Committee office today, will function till August 14.
Applications will be forwarded to the Regional Passport Office in Secunderabad and passports will be issued in 15 days after verfication.
The applications should be enclosed with a demand draft for Rs 2,500 and a genuine identity proof.
Speaking to mediapersons, Ahmadullah asked Muslim pilgrims to use the opportunity to obtain the passports and visit Haj and Umrah. He said pilgrims sponsored by the State Haj Committee are being provided with all facilities ranging from filing the applications to their safe arrival back home.
The government was also facilitating Haj tours being operated by private operators, he added. Regional Passport Officer G Srinivas, AP State Haj Committee executive officer MA Qudus and members of the Haj Committee were present.
—Agencies–