The State Haj Committee has proposed to hold ‘qurrah’ (draw of lots) for selection of Haj pilgrims on April 17. This year there will be a decrease of 20 per cent in the Haj quota for pilgrims proceeding through Haj Committee and private tour operators.
Haj Committee special officer, Prof. S.A. Shukoor, who attended the Haj Committee of India meeting at Mumbai, said the reduction in the quota was on account of the ongoing expansion of the ‘Mataaf’ area in the grand mosque at Makkah.
During 2013 the quota of Haj Committee after reduction was 1,21,420 and for private tour operators, it was 14,600.
According to a press release, Prof. Shukoor wanted the quota for pilgrims to be fixed on the basis of 2011 census and not 2001.
