16,776 Haj applications approved; IUML alleges complicity of officials in elevated fare from KZD

Kondotty: Over 16,776 applications that were sent from Kerala through the state Haj committee have been approved. 24,748 people applied of whom 1250 people above 70 years of age and 3584 people in the category of women without Mehram will be given direct opportunity for the pilgrimage.  

Out of 19,950 applicants in the general category, 11,942 candidates will be given the opportunity through a lottery drawing system. The draw will be held on Monday from 11 AM in Delhi. 8008 people will be included in the waiting list and they will gain preferential opportunity in the cancelled seats in Kerala and other states. About 1500 people are expected to get this opportunity.

The details of the selected applicants will be available on the website of the Haj committee by Monday evening.

Meanwhile the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State secretary P.M.A Salam said that a strong public sentiment will emerge against the severe discrimination shown to the Kozhikode airport in relation to the Haj service. Haj travel is available from other airports in Kerala at a cost of Rs 85,000 while in Kozhikode it is 1,65,000. He added that the authorities are complicit in the looting committed by Air India by rejecting the Saudi Airlines which are ready to provide services at low rates. 

This is a serious concern under the circumstances that over 78 percent of Haj pilgrims in Kerala opt for the Kozhikode airport for their travel. Salam informed that the IUML will lead a strong agitation if no fair decision is taken in this matter.