Mumbai: Among the latest victims of the global meltdown are more than 1 lakh Indian pilgrims who have just returned from Mecca after the Haj.
The Haj Committee of India, the agency which manages the pilgrimage tour for many Indians, will charge Rs 5,000 in addition to what each Haji—who has used the committee’s services—has already paid.
More than 1.23 lakh Hajis availed of the Haj Committee’s services in 2008; 42,000 travelled to Saudi Arabia through private tour operators. According to the Haj Committee of India’s CEO Moha-mmed Owais, the extra money being charged is to cover the amount the committee lost because of fluctuations in currency rates.
In July 2008, when the Hajis paid the fees (Rs 85,000-Rs 95,000) to the committee, 1 Saudi Riyal was equivalent to Rs 11.44. In September 2008, when the Haj Committee paid Saudi the cost of Hajis’ accommodation in Saudi Arabia, 1 Riyal became equivalent to Rs 13. The panel was forced to pay around Rs 50 crore more to the Saudis. “The only way we can recover this deficit is from the Hajis.
We are asking each of them to pay Rs 5,000 as soon as possible,’’ Owais said. “The letters will be sent soon to every pilgrim who went to Mecca through the Haj Committee.’’ The Haj Committee has, in the past, faced flak for inconveniences to pilgrims. Hajis would get accommodation in houses far from the Kaaba, though promised otherwise.
“This time we booked the rooms from India in accordance with the availability of houses and the Hajis’ choices. This way, we saved time and avoided confusion. Earlier, Hajis had to wait for hours at Jeddah airport before they were allotted their residences,’’ Owais said.
The committee has also introduced several changes in the application process to ensure that no pilgrims are left behind once they are selected through a lottery. From this year, applicants will be first asked to fill a provisional form with basic information. Once selected, they will be asked to fill another form with supporting documents.
0 comments:
Post a Comment