Frozen quota: E-Haj portal reopens after Delhi HC intervention

NewDelhi: Much to the respite of the Haj pilgrims in the country, the E-Haj portal has resumed its services for 17 registered Haj groups in the country, whose quotas were earlier freezed, in accordance with a union government order.

The Haj groups had moved Delhi HC seeking permission to resume their services. Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju gave a verdict in their favour which served as a major relief for thousands of haj pilgrims across the country. 

Following the verdict, C P S Bakshi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, had assured the court that the portal would resume its services for the Haj groups at the earliest, after making the recommended changes.

The union government had earlier suspended the registration of a few private Haj organisers and also freezed their quotas which were previously mentioned in the ‘consolidated list’ for 2023. 

Over 1,500 Haj pilgrims across the country (1,200 pilgrims from Kerala) were affected by the decision of the union government. 

After receiving the HC verdict in their favour, the organisers of various Haj groups assured a safe and comfortable journey for all the pilgrims from now. The groups claimed to have pledged the security deposits, as per the government instructions. 

Additional Solicitor General  Sanjay Jain appeared for the Ministry of Minority affairs in the case.