Azad thanks PM for increasing J

Jammu, Nov 17 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has greeted Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for increasing the Haj pilgrim quota for the sate.

Nearly 10,000 more Muslim devotees will be able to undertake Haj pilgrimage this year, as the Centre has enhanced the quota under its subsidy scheme to 1.1 lakh.

Chief Minister has expressed his personal gratitude and thanks to Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues for accepting the demand of the state government for increasing Haj quota for Jammu and Kashmir this year as a special case.

Chief Minister had previously taken up the matter with the Prime Minister several times, during their meetings held in this connection.

Mr Azad also had a telephonic conversation with Union Minister for Civil Aviation Praful Patel for ensuring special Haj flights from Srinagar to Saudi Arabia for carrying extra Haj pilgrims.

UNI HGV LL BST1347