Haj 2015 would be a costlier affair, courtesy rise in foreign exchange, airfare and accommodation charges in Saudi Arabia. The Haj Committee of India (HCI) confirmed a hike of around Rs30, 000 to Rs35, 000 this year. In fact, the HCI is expecting a further rise in foreign exchange that would further increase the costs to the pilgrims.
Sources in the Madhya Pradesh State Haj Committee informed The Pioneer that the rate of Saudi Riyal is likely to increase by Rs1.50 and would for sure affect the pilgrims from the country and State. The hike in the airfare, 5 to 7 per cent in hike accommodation tariff and conversion rate of Saudi Riyal would make the Haj this year costly by Rs30, 000 to Rs35, 000. The cost of Haj that varied from Rs1.65 lakh to Rs2 lakh last year is likely to be from Rs2 lakh to Rs2.25 lakh, sources added.
Sources in HCI on condition of anonymity said, “We are following the guidelines of the apex court". The airfare in 2013 was around Rs28,000, which increased to Rs35,000 in 2014. Now, in 2015, it has risen to Rs7,000 and stands at Rs42,000.
According to HCI member Abdul Hai, the conversion is likely to increase by Rs1.49 for every riyal. "This is an increase from last year's Rs15.42 for every Saudi riyal to Rs17.03 this year. There still could be some changes in this rate," he said.
Pilgrims Azizia Category, which arranges accommodation within seven kilometers from the holy mosques, will have to pay around Rs1.90 lakh this year as against the Rs1.65 lakh, which the HCI had charged last year.
Similarly, those who opt for Green Category, which provides accommodation in an around the holy mosques, will have to spend around Rs2.25 lakh this year in contrast to Rs1.91 lakh last year. Pilgrims would be allowed two check-in baggages. This would cost the committee another Rs7,000.