Lok Sabha Question No. 4140 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-18
Subject: Arrangements for Haj Pilgrimage
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kani K. Navas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.4140 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2019

## ARRANGEMENTS FOR HAJ PILGRIMAGE

## 4140.  SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of arrangements made for Haj pilgrimage;
- (b)  whether there have been complaints by the pilgrims every year about inadequate facilities and arrangements; and
- (c) if so, the steps taken or proposed to be taken to resolve these issues/ problems?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

- (a) Government of India makes extensive arrangements for the welfare of the Indian Haj pilgrims  both  in  India  and  in  Saudi  Arabia  in  coordination  with  other  Ministries/ Departments. The Indian Haj pilgrims are provided essential facilities and services for their smooth, safe and comfortable Haj experience. The arrangements being made for the pilgrims are as under:
- (i)  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  deputes  administrative  and  medical  staff  during  Haj Season as Coordinators/Assistant Haj Officers/Haj Assistants/Doctors/paramedical  staff  including  a  large  number  of  women  staff  for  providing  round-theclock  facilities  to  Haj  pilgrims  during  their  stay  in  Makkah  and  Madinah  in  the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also makes arrangements for supply of medicines/medical equipments to CGI, Jeddah for use in the temporary hospitals and dispensaries set up in Saudi Arabia during Haj season.
- (ii)  Haj  Committee  of  India  (HCOI),  a  statutory  organization  under  this  Ministry  of Minority Affairs is mandated to make all arrangements for the pilgrims in India as

per extant policy. HCoI invites applications from the intending Haj pilgrims, makes selection  of  pilgrims,  makes  arrangements  for  Group  Insurance,  vaccination  of pilgrims, stainless steel Bracelets/ tri-colour identity cards for identification of the pilgrims,  foreign  exchange  in  Saudi  Riyals  and  conducts  orientation/  training programmes  in  close  coordination  with  State/  Union  Territory  Haj  Committees (SHCs).  It also makes arrangements for endorsement of Haj Visa in coordination with  Saudi  Consulate in  Mumbai and its delivery to the pilgrims in coordination with  SHCs.  It  also  deputes  Khadim  ul  Hujjaj  for  the  assistance  of  Haj  pilgrims during their stay in Saudi Arabia.

- (iii)  Ministry of External Affairs facilitates timely issue of passports and Haj visas for the intending pilgrims and facilitates communication with the Saudi Government on Haj matters.
- (iv)  Consulate  General  of  India  (CGI),  Jeddah,  has  the  responsibility  to  make arrangements for accommodation and local transport in Makkah and Madinah in coordination  with  HCoI.  It  also  looks  after  general  welfare  and  health  of  the pilgrims and redresses their grievances while they are in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  CGI,  Jeddah  also  provides  various  medical  facilities  to  the  Indian  Haj pilgrims.  Temporary  offices,  hospitals  and  dispensaries  are  opened  in  Saudi Arabia during Haj season for the management and welfare of Indian pilgrims. A total of 16 Branch Dispensaries (10 in Aziziya and 6 in NCNT Zone) and 3 Branch Dispensaries in Madinah have been established. Besides, 40 bedded, 30 bedded Hospitals in Aziziya, 10 bedded Hospital in NCNT Zone and 10 bedded hospital in Madinah  have  also  been  established  to  ensure  proper  health  facilities  to  Haj Pilgrims.  Besides,  17  Ambulances  are  also  in  operation  for  welfare  of  Haj Pilgrims. A Mobile team of Doctors and Para medics is also put on daily service to visit such Pilgrims in their buildings, who are under High Risk Group and are 70+ in  age  and  ailing  from  serious  diseases.  Moreover,  seriously  ailing  cases  are referred to Saudi Hospitals where they are provided free medical treatment.
- (v) Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation  is  the  nodal  Ministry  for  making  arrangements  for  air charter operations for HCoI pilgrims. It invites bids and finalises the tender for air charter operations by different airlines from the 21 designated embarkation points in  India.  It  also  supervises  the  Air  Charter  operations  during  Haj  period.  The selected airlines, concerned airport authorities, HCoI and SHCs deploy officials at the embarkation points to assist the pilgrims in embarkation and disembarkation of pilgrims.
- (vi)  Ministry  of  Health  makes  arrangements  for  requisite  number  of  mandatory vaccines  for  the  Haj  pilgrims  and  its  timely  supply  to  the  State/  District  health authorities for administration to the pilgrims in coordination with HCoI/ SHCs.
- (b) The  CGI,  Jeddah  makes  extensive  use  of  Information  and  Mobile  technology  and social  media  to  communicate  with  the  pilgrims.  While  the  pilgrims  are  in  Saudi Arabia,  CGI,  Jeddah  has  both  online  and  offline  grievance  redressal  system  for resolution of complaints of the pilgrims. It has developed a mobile app 'Indian Haji Information System' in which all details of pilgrims are kept. Besides, in every branch office set up by CGI Jeddah during Haj season, the complaints/grievances of pilgrims are  promptly  attended  by  the  officials  and  are  resolved  in  coordination  with  local service  providers.    The  HCoI  resolves  the  complaints  of  the  pilgrims  in  India  in coordination with the concerned authorities and service providers

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