The Andhra Pradesh State Haj Committee proposes to hold Qurrah (Draw of lots) for the selection of Haj pilgrims for Haj 2014 on 17th April.
Participating in the meeting of the Haj Committee of India held at Mumbai, SHC Special Officer Prof SA Shukoor gave several proposals for the smooth conduct of Haj Camp 2014. He asked the Haj Committee of India to hand over the cans of Zam Zam to the State haj Committee for distribution among the Haj pilgrims at the time of their return from the pilgrimage. He said that this year there is a dicrease of 20 per cent in Haj Quota for both the Haj Committee and the Private Tour Operators.
The Haj Quota for the Haj Committee of India which was 1,25,020 has been reduced to 1.00,020 this year while the Quota for the PTOs is fixed at 36,000. This reduction is imposed due to expansion of Mataf area in Makkah. During the year 2013 the quota for the Haj Committee of India after reduction was 1,21,420 and for PTOs 14,600.
Prof Shukoor said that several states have also represented for increase in the quota in view of increased number of applicants and said that in around four states no quota will be left for the fresh applicants as the entire quota will be fulfilled with the candidates under the Reserved categories. He informed the meeting that around four time more applications have been received by the State Haj committee than the actual quota. He demanded that the quota for the Haj pilgrims should be allotted on the basis of 2011 census and not on the basis of 2001 census. He asked the HCI to select the Khadim-ul-Hujja by Qurrah on the lines of the general Haj pilgrims. He also asked the HCI to allot the work of Umrah services to the State Haj Committee, which has the necessary infrastructure for this service.
He opposed the method of fixation of the rent for Green category at Saudi Riyals of 4500 and for Azeezia category at SR 2500 and said that the rent should be fixed on the basis of nature of buildings. He said that this year the distance of Green category pilgrims will be 1200 to 1500 Metres. After completion of the Metro Rail works in Makkah the Azeezia area will be nearer to the Haram as the pilgrims can reach there in a very short time. He demanded that in view of complaints recieved last year the food supply should be effective, while the catering should be provided to the pilgrims in Madeenah.
The meeting, presided over by HCI Chairman Qaiser Shameem, was attended by the chairpersons and Special Officers from all the states and Union territories, besides representatives from Ministry of External Affairs and Saudi Arabian Airlines. Consul Genral of India (Jeddah) Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and CEO HCI Janab Ataur Rahman gave details about the plans of Haj 2014. (INN)