`2,000 rumours worry pilgrims

A coordination meeting involving officials of 26 agencies who are stakeholders in the Haj pilgrimage 2017, was held at Haj House here on Thursday. Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali chaired the meeting.

Officials were informed about the various steps they need to take to ensure a smooth passage for the Haj pilgrims from the State. Around 3,600 persons from the State have been selected for the pilgrimage through ‘Qurrah’ (draw of lots) and reservation. Some more are likely to get an opportunity when the left-over seats from other States are redistributed.

“There is also a hope that with the 350 seats reserved under President of India, Prime Minister's and Vice President quota are allotted as per their discretion, some will be added to the state share,” said Professor S.A. Shukoor, Special Officer, Telangana State Haj Committee.

The pilgrims will start leaving for Saudi Arabia on August 13 in batches until August 22 by special flights. The Central Haj Committee has selected Saudi Airlines to ferry the passengers from the country.

During the meeting, the State Haj committee asked police to provide escort to every TSRTC bus carrying pilgrims from the Haj House Nampally to RGI Airport at Shamshabad.

“The immigration and customs department will set up counters at Haj House where screening of baggage and documents Haj pilgrims leaving for Saudi Arabia next month are in a quandary over speculation that `2,000 currency notes will not be exchanged there.

Some messages making the rounds on social media are raising doubts. There is also no clarification on the issue either from the Haj committee of India or State Haj committee.

The customs authorities and the State Haj committee allow the pilgrims to carry with them `25,000 in addition to a specified amount in foreign currency like US dollars. The Haj committee also gives them Saudi riyal 2,100 to meet the expenses in Saudi Arabia during their stay.

Pilgrims carrying the Indian currency exchange it at Saudi banks or other exchange facilities legally available to meet expenses.

Some pilgrims bring back a part of it that can be used at Indian airports and elsewhere.

“It is a common practice every year. Pilgrims generally carry high denomination currency will be done so that the pilgrims could directly board the aircraft,” said Mr Shukoor.

A total of 8,040 passengers including around 4,000 from AP and Karnataka will fly from Pilgrims generally prefer to carry higher denomination notes as they are more convenient to carry and handle

— Travel agent notes. The questions now being raised on the ` 2,000 currency notes and the rumours make the pilgrims vary. Higher denomination notes are generally preferred because they are easy to be handled and kept,” said Abdul Samaad, a travel agent.

When contacted Professor S A Shukoor, Special Officer Telangana Haj Committee, said that they had not received any communication from Haj committee of India or the customs officials.

“Informally we were told by the customs officials that they have been asked not to allow people to carry `2,000 currency notes to Saudi Arabia. We are only advising them to carry smaller currency to be on the safe side,” Mr Shukoor said. the city airport.

Officials from GHMC, HMWS&SB, CISF, TSRTC, customs, immigration, Hyderabad and Cyberabad police and minority welfare department attended the meet.