By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
New Delhi: Several state Haj Committees have demanded amendments in Haj Act and changes in the present system of Haj administration.
Addressing a press conference at India Habitat Center on 1st April, several chairmen of state Haj Committees demanded that more power should be vested with the Haj Committee of India and state Haj Committees. They came up with several other proposals a day before the All India Haj Conference to be held by the Haj Committee of India in New Delhi on 2nd April.
They also demanded the constitution of a core committee to maintain contact among ministries of external affairs, civil aviation, Haj Committee of India and state Haj Committees. They demanded open discussion on the problems of Hajis in the presence of concerned ministers. The press conference was chaired by chairman of Bihar State Haj Committee and JD (U) MLA Jamshed Ashraf.
Elaborating on the problems of Hajis, chairman of Maharashtra Haj Committee G.S. Ansari said the problems confronting Hajis could not be overcome unless Haj Committee of India was empowered. Chairman of Karnataka Haj Committee Zul Fiqar Ahmad Khan alias Tipu demanded changes in the Haj administration. He said state Haj Committees should be empowered. “At present, state Haj Committees are playing the role of a postman,” he said. Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee Layeeq Ahmad said chairmen of state Haj Committees should be included while taking any policy decision regarding Hajis. Spokesman of Bihar Haj Committee Abu Talib Rahmani demanded the government to snap ties with Air India and invite global tenders for air travel of Hajis.