Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali will issue the Haj application forms at Haj House on Monday at 11.30 a.m., heralding the commencement of the Haj 2015 season. The last date for submission of applications is February 20. The applications can also be downloaded and filled online.
For the first time, the Haj Committee of India has introduced e-payment facility for the convenience of pilgrims. Applicants, however, have to submit two printouts of the application forms duly signing and affixing the photos to the Telangana State Haj Committee (TSHC) so that the computer generated group ID can be created, said its special officer, S.A. Shukoor. He told presspersons here on Saturday that a few changes had been effected by the Haj Committee this time in its rules. One, no change in the pilgrim category or any other thing will be entertained once the application form is filled. Second, the selected pilgrims will be paid foreign exchange of 1,500 Saudi Riyals each (out of 2100 SR) after deduction of 490 SR towards ‘qurbani’ (animal sacrifice) and 110 SR for food and transportation at Madinah Munawwarah. Another change this time is that pilgrims can also use the Union Bank of India apart from SBI for remitting the Haj amount. The first instalment of Rs. 81,000 has to be paid by April 23, Prof. Shukoor said.
The draw of lots (Qurrah) to select pilgrims will be held from March 16 to March 24. The selected pilgrims must possess machine readable passports issued on or before February 20, 2015, which must be valid at least up to March 20, 2016. As in the past, there will be reserved categories for 70 plus pilgrims and those applying for the fourth time.
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