Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the Central Government would provide more facilities to pilgrims under the new Haj Policy which would be introduced next year.
Speaking after inaugurating the Haj Vaccination Camp at Haj House in Nampally on Saturday, Naqvi said that the draft of new Haj policy was being prepared by the Central Government.
Besides providing additional benefits, the Central Government might also increase the Haj quota for various States. He said that the Central Government was considering revival of Haj journey through ship. He said unlike past when about 2,500 pilgrims used to travel to Jeddah through ship, this time the number could be around 5,000.
He said journey through ship would also reduce the pilgrimage cost by almost half. He said that the Central Government was taking measures to resolve all the issues concerning Haj pilgrims.
Naqvi also stressed on unity among all countrymen. He said some divisive and communal forces were trying to create a divide within the society. He said such forces should be discouraged and defeated in the interest of the country.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali listed out various schemes being implemented by the Telangana Government for the welfare of minorities. He also informed that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has sanctioned Rs. 3 crore for Haj operations this year.
MIM MLA Jaffer Hussain Meraj, in his presidential address, demanded increase in Haj quota for Telangana pilgrims.
The Union Minister also unveiled plaques of Yedapally and Renjal Anganwadi Centers of Nizamabad District at the Haj House. He also distributed cheques among five beneficiaries of Shaadi Mubarak schemes. He also distributed sewing machines among poor Muslim women.
Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya, Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy, BJP MLA Chintala Ramchander Rao, Advisor to TS Govt A.K. Khan, Minorities Welfare Secretary Syed Omer Jaleel, Haj Committee Special Officer Prof. S.A. Shukoor and other senior officials were also present. (INN)