By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: Acknowledging that Hajis had to face much trouble during Haj 2007, concerned ministers and officials of Haj Committee of India gave assurance on 2nd April that such problems would not occur in future.
Representatives of sate Haj committees and voluntary Haj organizations expressed their anger in the Haj Conference held in the capital. They were angry on issues like defective Haj administration, unavailability of Zam Zam waters and maltreatment with Hajis at Jeddah airport. The conference was held at India Islamic Cultural Centre.
In a bid to pacify them, Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel made several pleasing announcements and also gave explanation about the troubles faced by Hajis. The minister announced that quota for Hajis had been extended to 1.1 lac and a new embarkation point had been made at Varanasi. Another embarkation point would be made at Indore, Madhya Pradesh next year, he announced.
Union Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherji said the hurdle in carrying Zam Zam waters had been removed and assured there would be no such problem in future. He also assured that the proposals forwarded by this Haj Conference would be implemented. Admitting they had to face sharp reaction in this conference because of troubles faced by Hajis, State Minister for External Affairs E. Ahmad said he accepted responsibility for those difficulties. He, however, said he was satisfied that he did his best to avert the troubles. He also announced that more power would be delegated to state Haj committees and Haj Act would be amended for this purpose.