AP Govt urges Centre to permit more pilgrims to Haj

Hyderabad, Nov 18 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today urged the Centre to grant permission to 215 additional Haj pilgrims from the state during this year.

According to a press release here, Dr Reddy has discussed the issue with the Union minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed over phone.

The Saudi Government has recently granted permission for 16,500 additional pilgrims this year. The remaining 215 members from the State may also be granted permission through their Arfah tours, he said.

The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to release 500 seats under discretionary quota of Union Government to the State.

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