Newskarnataka – Bangalore

Bangalore: During the launch of the online draw for the beneficiaries of the subsidy for Haj pilgrims, Minister for Information, Infrastructure Development and Haj Roshan Baig confirmed that a delegation would meet the PM with regards to increasing the State’s quota.

Currently, the State’s quota is 4,977 pilgrims however the with instances of the tour operators exploiting pilgrims by charging up to Rs 6 lakh to Rs 7 lakh per person, a delegation led by Union Minister for Minority Affairs K Rahman Khan will seek relief, said Baig

Haj Committee of India Chairman Mohammed Magoob Ahmed said Karnataka’s quota had been reduced from 7,000 to 4,977 pilgrims this year because of the ongoing construction at Haram Sharif in Saudi Arabia. Rahman Khan said efforts would be made to get the State quota increased from next year.

The Karnataka State Haj Committee received 17,182 applications till March 22, 2014, the last date for submission. Of the total applicants, 8,762 are men, 8,409 are women and 11 infants. Of the total applications, 871 belong to reserved category-A (above the age of 70 with a companion) and 478 applications to reserved category-B (fourth attempt). Of the total 4,977 State quota pilgrims, 3,628 are to be selected through the online draw of lots.

Speaking after inaugurating the online computerized qurrah programme, he said the Haj Committee of India should have protested when the Centre released the Haj quota recently.

Minister for Haj and Infrastructure Development Roshan Baig urged Khan to take a delegation of leaders from the State to the Centre on the issue. “It is very unfortunate that the quota has been slashed. We cannot tolerate this,” he added.

Minister for Labour Qamarul Islam also was present.