Haj: Centre yet to reply to MP govt's letter

Bhopal, Mar 5 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government today informed the Assembly that the Centre was yet to reply to the state regime's letter regarding a long-pending demand for a Bhopal-Jeddah direct air service for Haj pilgrims' benefit.

Replying to a discussion on budgetary demands pertaining to the General Administration and Aviation departments, Minister of State for General Administration Ranjana Baghel said, ''the Centre should take an early decision keeping in mind the Muslims' demand.'' The Minister said that more than 17,700 backlog posts were filled under a special recruitment drive whose time limit had been extended to December 31. Land was allotted for upgrading to international standards the airports here, at Indore and Khajuraho. After Ms Baghel's reply, budgetary demands worth Rs 157 crore were passed by voice vote.

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