Haj pilgrims can cancel tickets, get refund: Committee

nMUMBAI: The Haj Committee of India on Friday issued a circular informing pilgrims that they can cancel their applications for which they will be given a complete refund.

The circular has come even as the HCOI awaits a notification in this regard from the Saudi Ministry of Haj and the Union government amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

Maqsood Ahmed Khan, chief executive officer of HCOI, said that owing to a lot of queries by pilgrims, they decided to issue the circular calling for cancellation of applications by pilgrims. He added that the committee is of the opinion that it will be difficult to make all Haj arrangements at such a short notice.

“There was some cancellation charge of around ~5,000-7,000 that was levied in previous years if pilgrims cancel, but we are doing away with that this year. If someone cancels, a full refund will be given to them,” said Khan.

Khan added that those who cancelled after the announcement will also be refunded. “On our end it is very difficult to make arrangements, we would advise people to not go for Haj this year. About next year, fresh applications will be called later.”

Zafar Jamal of Federation Haj PTOS of India said, by the month of Ramzan, they fill their quota of 50,000 pilgrims. However, due to the pandemic, only 30% of pilgrims had registered with them.

“We are awaiting details from Saudi government, which is expected to be out on Saturday. Then we will take a call on what needs to be done. There may be a change in quota and the pilgrimage may become expensive then.”