New Haj policy soon: HCI

Hyderabad, April 23 : The Haj Committee of India will soon release the draft of new Haj policy.

Addressing a press conference at Haj House here, HCI Chief Executive Officer Dr Shaker Hussain said that the new policy was being drafted as the directions of the Supreme Court. The draft of new policy, to be implemented from 2013 to 2017, will be released soon to seek public suggestions and objections.

Dr Hussain also informed that this year the Haj Committees have received 2.98 lakh applications and of them, 1.20 lakh pilgrims would be selected for Haj 2013. Of them, 30,000 seats have been reserved for applicants of over 70 years of age and those who were not selected in the lucky draw for the last three years. On Tuesday, the lucky pilgrims have been selected from Andhra Pradesh and Delhi and the entire process of selection across the country will be completed within one week.

The HCI CEO asked the selected pilgrims to deposit their first installment of Rs 76,000 by May 20. The pilgrims in Green Category (1500 metres of Holy Kaba) will be charged 4500 Saudi Riyal for accommodation while those in Azizia Category (7 km radium) will have to pay 2630 SR. All pilgrims will have to pay 500 SR for accommodation in Holy Madina. INN