New Delhi, Jan 21: The Central Haj Committee would introduce a simpler and transparent procedure to select the Hajis for the coming session of pilgrimage.
"The Haj committee will introduce a simpler, transparent and convenient selection procedure for the Haj pilgrims this year, which will consist two stages," Iqbal Ahmed Saradgi, Central Haj Committee Chairman, said.
Elaborating the procedure after a meeting of the Chairman of all state Haj committees here, Saradagi said "in the first stage, a limited number of the one-page application
form carrying the basic information of the intending Haj pilgrims will be randomly selected.
"In the second stage, only those applicants selected in the first stage would be required to fill up an extensive application form and deposit the security money," he added.
Asked about accommodation difficulties faced by pilgrims, he said a coordination committee consisting of members of the Central Haj Committee and those of the Indian Consulate General in Jeddah would monitor the arrangements this year.
"The accommodation facility would be provided at a little distance from the main venue but it will be connected by proper transportation facility", he said adding "special
contact room` in both the countries would be established during the Haj period to address the problems faced by the pilgrims.
About the new visa system introduced by Saudi Arabia, the Committee Vice-Chairman Hasan Ahmed said the Indian government would ask the Saudi government for the continuation of the current Visa procedure.
Bureau Report
