By TCN News,
Malappuram: Only 1300 persons will be selected for Hajj from Kerala by drawing lots this year. The state’s quota is 6908 this year and around 5600 persons have already been included in the reserved category list.
The lots were to be drawn today, but it was postponed as the election code of conduct is in force. The lots will be drawn late this month itself though dates have not been fixed yet, according to reports.
Those in the reserved category include those applicants above 70 years of age and those who have not been selected in the last four years continuously. Those above 70 can also take an attendant along. The list will be published tomorrow and two days will be available to lodge any complaints with regard to the list, according to reports. The list was to be published earlier but was not published, as the election code of conduct was in force. Those in the reserved category have been allotted cover numbers marked ‘KLR’, and the Hajj Committee should be informed immediately if anybody eligible to be in the list is given cover number marked ‘KLF’.
Though the state had expected a good increase in the state quota, the quota has been increased only to 6908. Last year it was 6700. A total of 41,552 persons had applied for the Hajj this year. Among this, 34,644 applicants will not get a chance to do the Hajj normally, though some might be included in the central quota.