Applications from Karnataka for Hajj decline drastically

coastaldigest.com web desk
November 26, 2018

Bengaluru, Nov 26: The number of Hajj aspirants from Karnataka has drastically declined this year as the State Haj Committee so far received less than 6,000 aplifications, below the State’s quota for Hajj (which is 6,624 based on the 2011 Census).

It appears that for the first time in at least 10 years, the number of applications for Hajj 2019 may not cross 15,000.

With the Karnataka and a few other State Haj committees requesting the Hajj Committee of India to extend the deadline to submit applications, the last date has now been set as December 12. The old deadline was November 17.

According to the Hajj committee, there has been a declining trend in the number of pilgrims from the last few years.

“Though every year the deadline is extended and most submit applications in the extension period, this time around, the number of applications received within the first deadline has been way below the mark,” said, Syed Ajaz Ahmed, nodal officer, Bengaluru, State Hajj committee.

The decline started in 2016 when there were 25,000 applications. In 2017, the number of applicants dropped to 23,000 and the following year, it was as low as 18,000. “This time we are expecting it to be below 15,000,” he said.

Following the submission of applications, an online lottery will be conducted to select 6,624 pilgrims for the journey to Makkah.

The Union government scrapped the subsidy for the Hajj pilgrimage last year. For a person travelling from Karnataka, the subsidy was Rs 1,400. “This is negligible in terms of the total cost of travel per person which is roughly around Rs 2 lakh. The scrapping of the subsidy has no affect on the numbers,” he said. The committee blames this downward trend on GST and demonetisation.

“While the salaried class is not as affected, many from the business community don’t have enough money to travel. We think this is the main reason for the fall in numbers,” Mr Ahmed said.

Another reason, he said, could be that applications were invited earlier this year.

“Usually, applications are called for in December and January. This year the process started in October itself. That could have contributed to the lower number of applications,” he added.

Comments

hajj is not enjoy trip to travel.. it is a obligatory right to every muslim , whenever he finds capable to it... those who are capable this year surely they will leave this year itself , and others may wait for their capability....

Viggu Vignesh
 - 
Monday, 26 Nov 2018

World's fastest growing religion is Islam. But now Islam not consisting true believers (not all)

Unknown
 - 
Monday, 26 Nov 2018

Why that discrimination?

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News Network
April 11,2020

Bengaluru, Apr 11:  Amid nationwide lockdown in the wake of COVID-19, former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday urged the state government to announce a relief package for farmers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a video conference with Chief Ministers.

Taking to Twitter, Kumaraswamy wrote, "As the lock down continues, what action plan does the government have to tackle the challenges of ensuring marketing channels for farm produce with timely transport and ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential groceries to towns and cities?"

He later asked the government to act "swiftly and effectively".

"On one hand we see farmers throwing their produce in despair and losing their livelihoods. On the other hand supplies to towns are depleting. This is threatening both lives and livelihoods. The government must act swiftly and effectively," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

"I urge the state government to immediately announce relief package to farmers by way of direct benefit transfer mechanism and purchase all the agricultural produce so as to avoid farmer suicides," he added.

With 40 deaths and 1,035 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, India on Saturday witnessed a sharpest ever increase in coronavirus cases, taking the tally of the infected people in the country to 7,447, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

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News Network
August 4,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 4: With preparations underway for conducting exams for the final semester/ year students in the state, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwathnarayan on Monday directed the respective universities to conduct exams for the backlog papers as well.

"In the wake of COVID-19, it has been decided to hold exams only for the students of final semester/year courses. It has come to our notice that some universities have decided against conducting exams for final year students who have a backlog to clear from previous semesters. This is unpardonable," the Deputy Chief Minister said.

"Our intention is to see that the final year students finish their course. In the present situation, conducting only final semester exams won't help. We have to help the students in clearing their backlogs," added Ashwathnarayan, directing all universities to compulsorily conduct these exams.

Meanwhile, Ashwathnarayan thanked the staff and officials of various government departments who were responsible for successfully conducting the CET exams even amidst the difficult situation in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

"In all, 1,94,419 students had registered for the CET exams, of which 1,75,428 wrote the exams. The percentage of students who took up the exams this year was equivalent to that of the previous years, in normal times," the DCM informed.

"After we successfully conducted the exams, Arunachal Pradesh is going to conduct the Public Service Commission exams on the lines of how we successfully conducted the exams. Likewise, even our KPSC has said it will conduct the exams. We must appreciate the good work of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), which has set an example for others," Ashwathnarayan said.

The deputy chief minister said that 33 colleges in various districts across the state faced shortage of land and that it is the responsibility of the District Commissioners (DCs) to get the lands sanctioned for all these colleges.
In Bagalkot district alone land has not been sanctioned for six degree colleges, he said.

Reacting to this, Bagalkot DC Captain Rajendra assured to look into the matter as soon as he receives the proposal from department officials.

"Similarly, there is shortage of land for five Diploma colleges and 28 ITI colleges in different parts of the state. The DCs must immediately pay attention to this. Once they get the land, buildings will come up within no time," the Karnataka deputy chief minister said.

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News Network
June 3,2020

Mangaluru, Jun 3: Mangaluru MLA and former minister U T Khader has urged the state government and Dakshina Kannada district administration to take steps to facilitate the return of Indians stranded in foreign countries amid covid lockdown.

A delegation comprising Mr Khader, DCC President K Harish Kumar, and MLC Ivan D’Souza met District In-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary and submitted a memorandum on Tuesday.

“Kannadigas who are working outside the state are in distress due to the lockdown. More than 50,000 people had uploaded applications on Seva Sindhu portal seeking permission to return to their villagers and are waiting for permission. With the authorities failing to take any decision, they are worried,” said the delegation.

The government should initiate measures to get them back and quarantine them, urged the delegation.

Mr Khader said, “Many workers stranded in foreign countries are eager to return home. The district administration should make arrangements to quarantine those returning from foreign countries and other states.

There are thousands of migrant labourers from Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar stranded in DK. They are waiting to return to their families. The state government should facilitate their return journey, the delegation urged.

MLC Ivan D’Souza said, “Assistance should be provided to private bus staff, beedi workers, tailors, garage labourers and street vendors who are in distress. The price of Covid-19 tests in private laboratories should be reduced.”

The delegation informed that after Wenlock Hospital was converted into the designated COVID-19 hospital, poor patients are facing many inconveniences. A portion of the hospital should be earmarked for treating other patients, they said.

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