Government to meet Muslim MPs on Haj facility reforms

Thursday February 24, 2011 02:11:59 PM, IANS

New Delhi: The government Thursday said it will soon call a meeting of Muslim members from both houses of parliament to seek suggestions on reforming Haj pilgrimage facilities.

"I plan to convene a meeting in the next few days of Muslim members from both houses so that we can have their views on reforms needed in facilities for the Haj pilgrimage," External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna informed the Rajya Sabha.

Giving details of the number of pilgrims going for the Haj from India, the minister said there has been a slight increase. He said increasing the number, however, did not depend entirely on India as the quota was fixed by the government of Saudi Arabia.

"There has been a slight increase in the number of Haj pilgrims from close to 167,900 in 2009 to 171,491 in 2010. Ultimately, it's the Saudi government which decides the quota," he said replying to supplementaries during question hour.

Asked if the government was thinking of shifting the venue for the start of the pilgrimage to Delhi from Mumbai, the minister said it would require an amendment in the Haj Pilgrimage act.

"Bombay is the headquarters for Haj pilgrimage as per the act," Krishna said.

He was promptly corrected on calling Mumbai by its old name as opposition members shouted, "It's Mumbai, not Bombay".

The minister also informed the house that according to provisional figures, a subsidy of Rs.611 crore was provided to pilgrims in 2009-10 compared to Rs.867 crore in 2008-09.

The amount of subsidy in 2007-08 was Rs.390 crore, while in 2006-07 it was Rs.360 crore.

                                           Home | Top of the Page

Top Stories

'How will they get back their 9 years'

Asks mother of 3 acquitted in Godhra case

Bibi Khatoon from Godhara district, Gujarat, is the  »

Forensic report on Godhra train burning dents Govt./VHP claims

Godhra train carnage: 31 convicted, 63 acquitted

Godhra verdict travesty of justice, says lawyer Prashant Bhushan

  Most Read

Vastanvi to remain as Rector, rules Darul Uloom Shura, but clips his wings

Darul Uloom Deoband shura has ruled that Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi will continue as vice chancellor of Darul Uloom Deoband till a three-member subcommittee of clerics constituted Wednesday takes a final call on him. The Shura has also decided to clip his wings by appointing an acting rector.   »

Have resigned, but not under pressure: Deoband vice chancellor

Mumbai HC declares Malegaon MLA Dada Bhuse's election void

In a major setback for the BJP-Shiv Sena opposition in Maharashtra, the Mumbai High Court February 23 declared the election of Dada Bhuse from Malegaon outer assembly constituency as void. Two time MLA from Malegaon, Dada Bhuse is one of Sena's senior leader in the region.   »

  News Pick

Jamia to study 'minority institution' status for implementation

Jamia Millia Islamia said Wednesday it will study the judgment by the National Commission   »

Jamia is minority institution, rules Commission

Bangladesh apex court to have first woman judge

Bangladesh is set to have its first woman judge at the Supreme Court. Justice Nazmun Ara Sultana is among four senior High Court judges elevated by President Zillur Rahman to the appellate division of the apex court.  »

National Conference to move resolution for solution of Kashmir issue

The ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir will move a resolution in the forthcoming budget session of the state assembly seeking the resolution of the Kashmir issue    »

Myth of Vibrant Gujarat

Nearly nine years after the carnage of Gujarat (Feb 2011), a perception has been created that Gujarat is developing with rapid strides, there is all peace and harmony and minorities are happy. Like ‘Shining India’ a word has been coined, ‘Vibrant Gujarat’. Nothing can be   »

New Zealand Quake: 75 bodies recovered, 300 still missing

Three hundred people are missing and 75 bodies have been recovered from the quake ravaged New Zealand city of Christchurch, local authorities said  »

New Zealand city shaken by earthquake, 65 killed