Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said here on Wednesday that even after the withdrawal of subsidy during the current year, there “was no unnecessary financial burden on pilgrims”, all thanks to the elimination of middlemen and “100 per cent online and transparent” system introduced during the year for scrutiny of applications.
Unveiling “Haj-2019” plan at the Haj House in Mumbai, Naqvi said that during 2018 pilgrimage season when Haj subsidy was withdrawn, the elimination of middlemen and 100 percent online and transparent system ensured that there was no unnecessary financial burden on pilgrims”.
“The Haj pilgrimage was successful during 2018. For the first time after the Independence, a record number of 1,75,025 Muslims from India performed Haj this year and that too without any subsidy. We are hopeful that a larger number of Indian Muslims will go to Haj 2019,” Naqvi said.
Earlier in 2017, a total of Rs 1,030 crore had been paid to the airlines as fare for 1,24,852 Haj pilgrims, where as in 2018, a total of Rs 973 crore were paid to the airlines for 1,28,702 Haj pilgrims, going through Haj Committee of India. “This means, we paid Rs 57 crore less this year even after ending the Haj subsidy,” the Minister said.
The minister said it was for the first time that preparations for next year’s Haj (2019) had been started immediately after completion of the 2018 Haj pilgrimage process.
“The online application process for Haj 2019 will start from tomorrow (October 18), while offline application process will begin from October 22. A total of 3,55,604 applications had been received for Haj 2018 which included 1,89,217 male and 1,66,387 female applicants. We expect to receive more number of application for Haj pilgrimage,” Naqvi said.
Naqvi said that early start of Haj process, there would be better facilities for the agencies in India and Saudi Arabia. “This year, we will get more time to make arrangements. The process of airlines tender will be completed by November. The accommodation process in Makkah and Madina will be completed by December-January. The accommodation rates in Saudi Arabia will be same as it was in 2018. All 20 embarkation points will be functional and Haj pilgrims will also be able to go from Calicut airport,” he said.
Meanwhile, Naqvi inaugurated 'Viewers' Gallery' at Haj House and unfurled a national flag on the roof top of Haj House, Mumbai. The unfurled Indian National flag is of size 20 feet by 30 feet with a mast of 20-meter height. The national flag installed atop the Haj House is at 350 feet height from the ground level.