Govt. to call Muslim MPs soon to decide Haj pilgrimage arrangements
By ANIThursday, February 24, 2011
NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that the government will call a meeting of Muslim MPs soon to decide on reforms in arrangements for Haj pilgrimage.
“I plan to convene a meeting of Muslim members of Parliament from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha so that we can hear from them suggestion which we can incorporate in preparing for Haj (pilgrimage this year),” he said during the Question Hour.
Krishna said the government gave a Haj subsidy of Rs 367 crore in 2006-07, which rose to Rs 390 crore in 2007-08 and to Rs 867 crore in 2008-09.
“It is the constant endeavor of the Government to improve and reform the management of the arrangements for Haj pilgrimage in consultation with all concerned,” he said.
“The government has to operate within a quota fixed by the Saudi Arabia. It is not that the Government of India is free to decide,” he added, when questioned about the increasing quota of people going for Haj. (ANI)
