More facilities for Haj pilgrims this year: Min

LUCKNOW: The state government would soon construct a ‘Minority House’ in Gomti Nagar for the office of the minorities department, said minister of minorities and Haj affairs Lakshmi Narain Chaudhary during the lottery (Qurrah) for Haj pilgrims at Haj House on Monday.

In all, 27,198 pilgrims were chosen for Haj from various cities out of 42,892 applicants from all over the state.

Taking a dig at chairman of UP State Haj Committee Azam Khan, Chaudhary said , “Either Azam hates my face or he is not interested in work related to Muslims and Haj. That is why he always remains absent during important work like Qurrah. He also doesn’t find time for any meeting of the committee.”

On Haj subsidy withdrawal, he said the amount saved would be spent on welfare of minorities. The subsidy was done away because of the Supreme Court order. He said the state government did not believe in appeasement but in working for the uplift of minorities.

“The chief minister himself has directed me to participate in today’s function and to ensure best of facilities in Mecca and Medina. He has ordered to increase number of Haj Sewaks (Hujjaj) so that any Haj pilgrim from UP has to face any problem there,” he said.

He said facilities for Haj pilgrims would be more this year. During the Samajwadi Party rule, for five years no Haj Sewaks were sent by the state but as soon as the BJP came to power, it sent 145 Hujjaj for service of Hajis and this year their number would be increased. Minister of state for minority affairs Mohsin Raza came down heavily those criticizing the Haj subsidy withdrawal. “Subsidy on Haj was not legitimate according to Shariyat. However, it was withdrawn after the Supreme Court directives,” he

› The CM has directed me to participate in today’s function and to ensure best facilities in Mecca and Medina. He has ordered to increase number of Haj Sewaks so that no pilgrim from UP faces any problem

LAKSHMI NARAIN CHAUDHARY , minister of minorities & Haj affairs

said.

Coming down heavily on Azam Khan he said, “the BJP does not believe in taking political advantage on religious occasions. We take not political but spiritual benefits. If we work well and arrange everything well during Haj, God will also bless our government. We will monitor all arrangements there every day during Haj.”

He said that many people were demanding open tender for flights but this could not be done now as there was an agreement between Saudi Arabia and India that 50% of pilgrims would be taken by Saudi Airlines and the rest by Air India. So a global tender could be floated only after the agreement was over.