Centre asks states to constitute Haj Committees without delay

New Delhi, May 20 (UNI) The government today urged the states, which have not set up their own State Haj Committees, to constitute them in accordance with the new Haj Committee Act.

Expressing concern over the non-compliance of the law by some states, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said the states should expedite the creation of Haj Committees to help the Centre hold zonal elections to the committees.

The Haj Committee Act 2002 provides for a more representative and broad-based character to the Haj Committee envisaging better financial accountability and Parliamentary scrutiny.

The Act confers statutory recognition to State Haj Committees. Six members of the Central Haj Committee are to be elected from the six zones of the country through state Haj Committees.

''However, it is a matter of great concern that some of the States have still not consituted their Haj Committees in accordance with the new Act,'' Mr Ahamed said while inaugurating the All India annual conference for Haj 2006-II at the Vigyan Bhavan.

The accommodation arrangements for Haj 2006-II pilgrims are being taken in the right earnest, he said adding a delegation of senior officials from the External Affairs Ministry, Civil Aviation Ministry, Air India and the Central Haj Committee visited Saudi Arabia last month to review arrangements.

Mr Ahamed said he would visit Saudi Arabia soon to hold discussions with Saudi Haj Minister Dr Faod bin Abdul Salam Al Farsi on the arrangements for Haj 2006-II. He would also travel to Jeddah, Makkah and Madina to personally inspect arrangements for Indian pilgrims, he added.

Air India, Indian Airlines and Saudi Arabian airlines will jointly organise flights between India and the kingdom for Indian pilgrims, he said.

According to the Minister, Saudi Arabia has enhanced space norm per pilgrim from 3 metres to 3.5 metres since Haj 2006 when pilgrims had faced shortage of accommodation due to demolition of several buildings in the Makkah region.

UNI FZ CH DS1510