Lok Sabha Question No. 3137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-16
Subject: Haj Pilgrimage
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: KURUPPASSERY VARKEY THOMAS, SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3137

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2016

## HAJ PILGRIMAGE

3137.          PROF. K.V.THOMAS: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  pilgrims  who  undertook  the  Haj  pilgrimage during the last three years, year-wise;
- (b) the  financial  and  other  assistance  provided  for  undertaking the pilgrimage smoothly;
- (c) whether members from the same family can avail Government facilities several times; and
- (d) if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) The number of pilgrims who proceeded for Haj during the last three years are  as follows:
- (b) The expenditure towards Haj is borne by the pilgrims themselves. No financial assistance is given directly to Haj pilgrims. However, Ministry of Civil Aviation provides subsidy for air travel to pilgrims going for Haj through the Haj Committee of India.

|   Year | Number of Pilgrims proceeded for Haj   |
|--------|----------------------------------------|
|   2013 | 135,938                                |
|   2014 | 135,914                                |
|   2015 | 135,868                                |

Ministry of External Affairs coordinates arrangements for Haj pilgrimage in consultation with the Haj Committee of India and the

Consulate  General  of  India  (CGI),  Jeddah.  Every  year,  MEA  sends deputationists (Coordinators, Assistant Haj Officers, Haj Assistants, Doctors and paramedical staff) for rendering assistance to the Haj pilgrims.  Every  year,  CGI,  Jeddah  arranges  for  temporary  tents  in Mina,  sets  up  branch  Haj  Offices  and  dispensaries  in  Makkah  and Madinah, provides medicines, ambulances, other local transport etc. for the Haj pilgrims. Ministry of Civil Aviation supervises the Air charter operations during Haj period and deploys officials in Saudi Arabia to assist in embarkation and disembarkation of pilgrims.

To  provide  better  facilities  and  amenities  for  Haj  pilgrims, several initiatives have been undertaken. These include: improvement of   amenities for Haj pilgrims in buildings in Makkah and  Madinah;  strengthening  of  medical  services  for  Haj  pilgrims, streamlining of air travel arrangements  for Hajis by ensuring effective  management  of  timely  arrival  and  departure  of  flights, online submission of Haj application form to Haj Committee of India and providing e-payment option to pilgrims,  provision of local sim cards;  provision  of  travel  by  metro  train  in  Mashaer  region  for pilgrims going through HCOI ; 24 X 7 helpline, toll free  number and use of Whatsapp and SMS  for providing timely information; use of Mobile  phone  Application-  'Indian  Hajis  Accommodation  Locator' with  information  for  Indian  pilgrims;  speedy  and  effective  online complaint management system; strengthening of transport arrangements for Hajis accommodated in Azizia.

(c) & (d) In terms of Haj Policy 2013-17 framed by the Government  in  accordance  with  the  judgment  of  Supreme    Court dated 16.04.2013, an individual can perform Haj through Haj Committee  of  India  (HCoI)    only  'once  in  a  life  time'.  However,  a Repeater  pilgrim  is  eligible  as  a  Mehram  of  a  female  pilgrim  or companion of age 70+ pilgrim, if no other Mehram/ Companion (who has not performed Haj through HCoI) is available and if he/she pays full airfare as decided by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

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