By TCN Staff Reporter
Lucknow: Taking note of problems faced by devotees during haj pilgrimage, senior cabinet minister and Chairman, State Haj Committee (SHC) Naseemuddin Siddiqui held meeting with senior foreign ministry officials.
Issues such as extending last date for submission of passports by Hajj devotees, commencement of direct flights from Varanasi besides setting up liasion office near embarkation point in Turkman Gate, New Delhi.
OSD, State Haj Committee (SHC) Dr. MA Khan informed newsmen that Siddiqui has written five letters to the Foreign Ministry explaining in details about hardships faced by the devotees. He also had mentioned waiving off the restriction of a valid international passport for devotees as it is delaying things. The restriction has been imposed by the Foreign Ministry in 2009. “During meeting of the minister with Joint Secretary, Foreign Ministry Rajeev Kumar Chandra it has been formally agreed that some relaxation will be provided to the devotees. The last date for submission of passports will also be extended,” said Khan. Following the meeting, the SHC has extended the deadline from June 30 to July 15, 2010.
Siddiqui also reteirated that the Hajis heading for the pilgrimage from Varanasi should be given the direct flight to Saudi Arabia. “Earlier in 2009 the devotees from Varanasi were boarded in a small plane and shifting was done at Delhi airport. This resulted in a wait of 20-24 hours causing hardships to the devotees as they were stranded on airport. They should be offered a direct flight while the plane at refuel enroute to avoid shifting of passengers,” said Siddiqui.
Another issue which figured during the talks include setting up of a liasion centre in New Delhi. Earlier, Haj Committee of India, Mumbai sets up its liasion office in Haj Manzil, Turkman Gate, New Delhi which is also the embarkation point for the devotees. The liasion officer facilitates passports, visas, tickets and foreign exchange to the devotees. This office has been shifted to Nizamuddin in West Delhi which is around 25-30 kms from the embarkation point. SHC officials claimed that the liasion office will now be set up near Turkman Gate for the convenience of the devotees.
Meanwhile, sources in the SHC confided that the committee was seriously considering for a second lottery for few remaining seats. Earlier, against a quota of 27845 seats, good number of devotees have not turned up. “We will fill up the seat by arranging a second lottery among the devotees,” said an official.