New measures for Hajj pilgrims

Mangalore, June 14: A slew of measures for Hajj pilgrims, including allowing a companion for those above 70 years of age, easier passport clearances and automatic inclusion of those applicants in the list who have been applying for three years, announced External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday.

Delivering his inaugural address at the annual Hajj conference in New Delhi, Krishna said, “As part of our efforts to continuously improve Hajj management, it has been decided to allocate confirmed seats to all the intending pilgrims over 70 years of age along with a companion, with effect from this year.”

An additional Hajj quota has also been sought from the Saudi Arabia government to accommodate the significant increase in the number of intending pilgrims.

“During my visit to Jeddah for the conclusion of the Bilateral Hajj Agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 26, 2011, I personally handed over the request for additional seats to the Saudi Minister for Hajj,” Krishna said.

He also added that, “I am pleased to inform you that the Government has decided to give all the pilgrims selected by the Haj Committee of India passports with validity of eight months without police verification. Regional Passport offices have been advised to hold special passport adalats for the purpose.”