Lok Sabha Question No. 2533 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: Facilitation Centres for Haj Pilgrims
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2533

ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## FACILITATION CENTRES FOR HAJ PILGRIMS

## 2533. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps for facilitation centres to provide services to Haj pilgrims from Vellore Parliamentary constituency and if so, the details thereof; and (b) whether the Government has initiated any special passport and consular services for large number of people travelling to foreign countries especially the Arab, UAE and Middle East countries and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

(a):  Due to the increasing digitalisation of the processes associated with Haj, a large number of  services  to  Haj  pilgrims  throughout  India,  including  those  from  Vellore  Parliamentary constituency,  are  provided  online  digitally.  These  services  include  online  filing  of  Haj applications, dissemination of real time information through SMS/ Haj Committee of India website, updation of pilgrim's medical records online, to provide better medical services, and the  Haj  Suvidha  app,  which  not  only  provides  convenient  access  to  the  pilgrims  to  the training  content,  details  pertaining  to  accommodation,  flight,  baggage  etc.  but  is  also  a convenient  medium  for  grievance  redressal.  The  initiatives  of  the  Government  of  India towards  digitalisation  of  processes  have  led  to  greater  ease  and  convenience  for  the  Haj pilgrims.

Moreover,  every  year,  district level  training  camps  are  organised  by  the  Haj Committee of India to provide training to all prospective Haj Pilgrims. For Haj-2024, training was  organised  for  248  Haj  pilgrims  at  Vellore  on  23.04.2024.  Further  facilitation  services such  as  a  dedicated  helpline  are  also  operationalised  by  Haj  Committee  of  India  which  is accessible to all the Indian Haj pilgrims including Haj pilgrims from Vellore Parliamentary constituency.

(b): The welfare and protection of Indians abroad is the highest priority of the Government. The Government has made concerted efforts towards putting in place a robust institutional framework that ensures the welfare and safety of our nationals abroad. Indian Missions/ Posts abroad respond to any issues raised by Indians on priority. Grievances are responded through various channels like calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social media, 24x7 helplines, MADAD portal, etc. Any complaints received from the Indians abroad are taken up with the concerned authorities and the host government as the case may be, for requisite action. Our Missions  and  Posts  remain  vigilant  and  closely  monitor  the  well  being  of Indians.  In  case there is any untoward incident, it is immediately taken up with the concerned authorities of the  host  country  to  ensure  that  the  incident  is  properly  investigated  and  appropriately redressed.  Further,  during  emergency  or  crisis  situations,  our  Missions/Posts  abroad  pro- actively  help  distressed  /stranded  Indian nationals by  providing  consular  assistance,  food, shelter, medicine and return passage to India.

To facilitate the Haj Pilgrims, the Government of India issues a circular every year to all  the  Passport  Issuing  Authorities  (PIAs)  in  India  and  sensitises  the  officers  and  staff  to accord top priority to the passport applications received from the prospective Haj Pilgrims, which includes extending requisite assistance to prospective Haj applicants through various means,  as  per  requirement,  including  nominating  a  nodal  officer,  opening  of  facilitation counters, reserving appointment slots for such Haj applicants and attending to requests/grievance petitions received from such citizens in a prompt manner.

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