By TCN News,
Mumbai: The Haj Committee of India has termed as baseless the allegations that it overcharged Haj pilgrims by Rs 10000 each in 2011 and thus earned Rs 112 Crore. Reacting to the news report published on 16th March in a section of media including TCN (Haj Committee ‘earns’ Rs 112 Cr from Haj pilgrims in 2011), Dr. Shakir Hussain, CEO, Haj Committee of India, Mumbai on Monday clarified the position of HCI.
HCI clarification
“This has a reference to the article displayed on the website by the correspondent alleging that the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai, is charging around Rs. 10,000/- extra from each Pilgrim.
It may need to be mentioned here that, the allegation made against Haj Committee of India, is totally false, baseless and devoid of facts. It would have been better if the above matter was clarified with Haj committee of India to get the factual position, before releasing incorrect information to the people in general and Pilgrims of Haj – 2011, in particular.
1. The query raised by the correspondent as detailed in the article under reference, specifically pertains to utilization of Saudi Riyals 746/- equivalent to Indian Rupees 9,099/- (@ 1 SAR = Rs. 12.1935). The bifurcation of SAR 750/- collected from the Pilgrims is as per below:
|
SAR |
Particulars |
|
600 |
Additional Mina Charges paid to the South Asian Moassassa (Head of Moallims) for exclusive Maktabs (tents) for the Pilgrims within the traditional boundary of Mina as per earlier years |
|
25 |
Blanket & Pillow in Mina |
|
10 |
Transportation of Excess Baggage |
|
15 |
Insurance Charges |
|
11 |
Supply of Zam Zam Can of 10 Lit. to each Pilgrim |
|
13 |
City check-in of Baggage at Makkah/ Madinah |
|
40 |
1% Additional Accommodation, as per Saudi rules |
|
20 |
Over heads per pilgrim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia & India |
|
16 |
Contingencies |
|
750 |
Total |
2. Again, the allegation of over-charging the rentals towards hiring of accommodation for the Pilgrims stay in Azizia area is not at all correct. The accommodation rates in Makka are decided on the basis of inputs received form CGI, Jeddah after due consultation with SHCs and Ministry of External Affairs, Govt of India. There is a cut-throat competition from major countries, towards hiring of accommodation of pilgrims in the Kingdom, during Haj pilgrimage. The accommodation units in Makkah Mukarramah are hired by the Consulate General of India, Jeddah for the entire Haj season . The buildings are not hired on daily rental basis. The rate charged is for the entire Haj season. Taking in to consideration the above the rate charged was competitive.
3. The finalizing of foreign exchange rate in terms of Saudi Riyals is fixed by the Haj Committee of India, by inviting sealed quotation from various Banks, as per prescribed norms. During Haj – 2011, IndusInd Bank, submitted the lowest quote, 1 SAR = Rs. 12.1935, accordingly the job for issue of Saudi Riyals to the Pilgrims proceeding for Haj – 2011, was awarded to IndusInd Bank on 5th July, 2011. The actual payments to the Bank by HCOI take place 15 days before first flight . The banks while participating in the tender take in to consideration all such factors and quote the rate. It may not be out of place to state that, after the month of July, the foreign exchange market became very volatile, due to financial crisis in the major European countries. The rate of US $ and Saudi Riyal went high as compared to first half of 2011. Just for information, the rate of Saudi Riyal had an upward trend continuously from July onwards. During peak Haj Season in the month of October / November, the rate towards transfer of one Saudi Riyal went up from Rs. 13.1150 to 13.6775.
4. Therefore, it is not correct to say that, the rate of one Saudi Riyal fixed by the Haj Committee was on the higher side as compared to the marker rate. The source of information provided to you by the concerned, is just to malign Haj Committee of India, without any justification.”
(Dr. S. Shakir Hussain, IRS)
Chief Executive Officer,
Haj Committee of India, Mumbai.