Government to try increase online Haj applications

The government is working out ways to increase the number of online Haj applications to at least 70 per cent of the total number of people willing to make the pilgrimage, from the 11 per cent recorded last year. Last year, the number of online applications was 45,843, whereas this year, the Haj committee has set a target for lakhs of people.

Union minister of state for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi held a meeting at Haj House on Wednesday to conduct a review of issues pertaining to difficulties faced by Muslim pilgrims while filing online applications for travelling on Haj tours.

After the meeting, Mr Naqvi said, “The government is working out ways to promote online applications for Haj. Last year, we only had 45,843 people, which is 11 per cent of the total applications. We plan to increase this number to at least 70 per cent.”

Mr Naqvi said, “One of the steps being taken to provide the best services and facilities to Haj pilgrims is preparing a film with all the necessary information.”

He added: “Along with the Haj Committee of India, private tour organisers also have an important role to play during Haj. We are ready to extend all possible help and guidance to private operators,” Mr Naqvi said.

He further said that the Centre has already started making preparations for the next Haj pilgrimage and chief ministers and MPs from all states have been asked to give their suggestions.

The minister said that the Indian government would be requesting the Saudi government to increase the quota for Indian Haj pilgrims.

Meanwhile, Baba Bhai Kolsawala, chairman, All India Haj Umrah Tour Organisers Association, demanded that service tax not be levied on private tour operators.

“Service tax on the Haj pilgrimage organised by private operators is an extra burden, whereas the tax is exempted for the pilgrims going through the Haj Committee. Haj is a religious obligation, and hence all the Haj Pilgrims should be exempted from service tax,” Mr Kolsawala said.

He said that the other demands of the association include proportional distribution of quota between the Haj Committee of India and private operators, streamlining the process of submission and scrutiny of tour operators’ files, and abolishing the need for Haj pilgrims to have medical insurance.