KL Report
SRINAGAR
Minister for Haj, Auqaf, Floriculture and Public Enterprises Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed Thursday visited Haj House Srinagar and took stock of the arrangements put in place for Haj pilgrimage-2013 starting September 7.
The Minister went round various sections of the Haj House and enquired about the facilities available for the Haj pilgrims. He directed the concerned for maintaining hygiene in and around the complex.
The Minister said that fool proof arrangements at the Haj House and en-route have been made for pilgrims to facilitate their smooth travel from various district and their stay at Srinagar.
Peerzada said that proper arrangements have also been made for smooth transfer of pilgrims from their place of stay to the Haj House and from there to the Airport. He said besides, other arrangements, some nationalized bank counters have also been set up for disbursement of foreign exchange. He said Rs. 50 lakh have been earmarked for free vaccination of Haj pilgrims, moreover, the pilgrims have also been provided free SIM cards, he added.
The Minister said the issue of concession in fare for those who are going 2nd time to perform Haj, has already been taken up with the Haj Committee of India, Civil Aviation and Ministry of External Affairs. He said External Affairs Ministry has also allotted quota of 50 pilgrims to a private agency.
Peerzada expressed his gratitude to the Union Government for not curtailing the allotted quota of Haj pilgrims for the State.
Meanwhile, the Haj pilgrims have been advised to report early on September 7th at the Haj House. The reporting time for Ist Flight pilgrims is 9am and for 2nd flight pilgrims at 11 am.
The meeting was informed that the first Haj flight is scheduled to operate from Srinagar on September 7th till September 23rd, 2013 and corresponding return flights shall operate from October 20th to November 5th, 2013. As many as two flights with a capacity of 275 pilgrims each shall operate daily directly from Srinagar Airport to Madina Munawarah, the meeting was informed.
The meeting also decided that Deputy Commissioners Shopian and Pulwama would ensure restrictions on movement of trollies and other load carriers plying on Mughal road during the period for the convenience of pilgrims from Poonch and Rajouri.
The department of PHE and PDD has been asked to ensure uninterrupted power and water supply during the said period.
