IMPHAL, August 11: The quota for participating in the Haj will be increased half of its pilgrims due the pressure of the MLA Md. Amin Shah, chairperson, Manipur State Haj Committee and executive officer of its committee and Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh.
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh strongly pressurized to the concerned leader of the Centre.
The statement was expressed in a meet to IFP today evening by executive officer of Haj Committee, Syed Wahidur Rahman at his residence situated at Hatta Golapati.
According to executive officer (EO) Syed Wahidur Rahman, altogether 516 applicants were applied for the year 2012 including 261 men and 255 women. However, according to the census of Manipur 2001, the Haj Committee of India, Mumbai given the quota of altogether 158 Haj Pilgrims only. There were huge difference between the approved quota and the applicants who applied for the Haj. So, the president of Manipur State Haj Committee, Md Amin Shah, MLA and executive officer Syed Wahidur Rahman themselves has long been insisting to the official of Haj Committee of India, Mumbai and Ministry of External Affairs to increase the numbers of quota of Manipur.
Whereas, Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh sent a written statement on 14th May, 2012 to the president of All India Congress Committee and chairperson of UPA, Sonia Gandhi to increase the number of Haj quota. In the year 2011, total number of pilgrimage was 208 and from 2012 the number of pirlgrimage will be increased to 400 from 380.
Continuing further, executive officer (EO) Syed Wahidur Rahman said that the quota for pilgrims would be 371 and it was notified through Haj Committee of India, Mumbai by Ministry of External Affairs on August 10, 2012.
There were possibilities of increasing the numbers upto 400, it said.
Out of 516 applicants, altogether 114 pilgrims have already been selected on 8th May, 2012 under reserved category “A” for above seventy years of age (44 persons) to participate in the Haj at Mecca without Qurrah (Lottery). Another 358 persons are in waiting list after subtracting 44 persons and another 114 people of quota.
There was approval of 371 people of Haj Pilgrim. 25 people were allotted for the 1st additional quota and 169 people for 2nd and 3rd additional quota, it says.