Lok Sabha Question No. 1104 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Haj Opportunities for Common Citizens
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar, Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangre, Saikia Dilip, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Devji Mansingram Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1104 ANSWERED ON 08.02.2024

## HAJ OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMON CITIZENS

1104.  SHRI JAMYANG TSERING NAMGYAL: SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI RANJEETSINGH NAIK NIMBALKAR: SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE: SHRI DEVJI M. PATEL: SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  enhance Haj opportunities for common citizens and ensure inclusivity for vulnerable groups such as women, Divyangjan and the elderly; and

(b) the details of the measures taken by the Government to enhance health services for Indian Haj Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and address specific interventions for women throughout the entire Haj process?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (b): Government of India is continuously striving to improve the Haj experience for the Indian Haj pilgrims. In pursuit of this objective, a series of reforms were introduced during Haj-2023,  based  on  interaction  with  various  stakeholders.  The  reforms  introduced  during Haj-2023  include,  inter  alia,  abolition  of  discretionary  VIP  quota  for  the  Government; increase in embarkation points from 10 in 2022 to 20 in 2023; allowing single females under Lady  without  Mehram  category(LWM)  to  apply  without  requirement  of  grouping;  direct involvement of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and its agencies for Medical Screening and vaccination of pilgrims in India and setting up quality medical infrastructure including hospitals/dispensaries, in Saudi Arabia during the Haj period; making Haj inclusive through  special  provisions  in  Haj  policy  for  women,  divyangjans  and  elderly  pilgrims; selection  of  Administrative  Deputationists  from  Central  Armed  Police  Forces  (thereby ensuring better professionalism and assistance to pilgrims in Saudi Arabia); deputing senior officers of the states/UTs of the pilgrims in order to assist the pilgrims from the particular states/UTs; provision for availability of foreign exchange through SBI at competitive rates as per  the  pilgrims ' actual  needs  instead  of  mandating  the  purchase  of  foreign  exchange  of  a fixed  amount  for  each  pilgrim  as  done  in  earlier  years;  doing  away  with  non-refundable application  fees  of  Haj  Committee  of  India  (HCoI)  pilgrims;  reducing  the  cost  of  the  Haj package  of  HCoI,  by  removing  non-essential  components;  reduction  in  insurance  cost charged per pilgrim by HCoI; revamping of the air charter bidding process by making it more broad based and inclusive and development of Feedback Portal for evaluating the services provided by Haj Committee of India and Haj Group Organisers, wherein feedback of more than 25000 pilgrims was received based on which further improvements are being attempted during Haj 2024.

During Haj 2023, the required arrangements for lady pilgrims, divyangjan and  elderly  pilgrims  were  facilitated  by  making  special  provisions  in  Haj-Policy  2023  by making the Haj process more inclusive. Applicants under the 70+ age category, and under LWM  (Ladies  without  Mehram)  category  were  given  higher  order  priority  than  other applicants  for  the  allotment  of  quota.  Special  provisions  were  made  in  the  policy  for divyangjan  and  elderly  pilgrims  for  their  assistance  on  a  need  basis.  Arrangements  for sanitary requirements for women and baby food were made in coordination with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).

In pursuance of the commitment of the Government of India to ensure medical facilities to all citizens even outside Indian boundaries, the Ministry in coordination with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Indian Mission in Saudi Arabia created necessary infrastructure in the form of temporary hospitals and dispensaries in Saudi Arabia.

Further, to ensure professionalism and to ensure better health facilities for pilgrims, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) and its agencies were directly involved during Haj 2023 for initial screening of Haj pilgrims which was hitherto undertaken by private doctors and  has  been  replaced  with  medical  examination  by  Government  doctors  only.  A  medical contingent  comprising  of  335  doctors  and  paramedical  staff,  selected  by  MoHFW,  were deputed to Saudi Arabia for the welfare of Indian pilgrims. An additional facility for dental health was also added for the Indian pilgrims in 2023.

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