Mumbai: The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) today presented a report on the new Haj policy for 2018-22 to Union Minister of Minority Affairs Muktar Abbas Naqvi that allows better facilities for pilgrims, protects their interests and brings in transparency.

As per the directions of the Supreme Court regarding Haj polices for the Haj committee and private tour operators (PTOs), it was decided to review the existing policies and frame a new policy for which the ministry constituted a committee under Afzal Amanullah, IAS (retd), former Secretary to Government of India, Justice S S Parkar, retired judge of Bombay High Court, Qaiser Shamim, IRS (retired) and former Chairman of HCoI and others.

Among the important recommendations made by the committee include that the distribution of quota between the Haj committee and tour operators be rationalised in the ratio of 70:30 for the next five years.

The Haj quota for India fixed by the Saudi Arabian government was 136,020 after Haj 2013. In 2016, 135,902 pilgrims performed Haj out of which 99,902 went through HCoI and 36,000 through PTOs. The Haj quota was substantially increased to 170,025 for Haj 2017, with 125,025 allocated for HCoI and 45,000 to PTOs.

The committee has suggested that seats among the states/union territories (UT) should be distributed in the ratio of their Muslim population as well as in proportion to the number of applications received.

There will be a special quota for Jammu & Kashmir which will be increased from 1,500 to 2,000. Whilst the quota for Mehram will be increased from 200 to 500, women above 45 years of age will be allowed in a group of four or more to go for Haj without Mehram. The committee has recommended that the reserved category of applicants, namely 70 plus and fourth timers be abolished.

There will be one category of accommodation in Makkah, in Azizia and adjoining areas to be hired with new, multi-storied modern buildings with transportation facilities for the pilgrims. Re-hiring arrangements are to be made for new, good and big buildings in the subsequent year.

Henceforth, Adahi coupons, the Saudi project for utilisation of sacrificial animals, will be made compulsory for each pilgrim.

The committee has aimed at breaking the cartel of contractors with transparent bidding and the hiring rate to be brought down with better negotiations.

Another recommendation is to reduce the embarkation points from 21 to 9 — which are Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kochi. Suitable Haj houses will be built at these points.

The Saudi government is to be consulted regarding Haj travel by ship and thereafter float an Expression of Interest to gauge the market for such travel.

A robust portal will be developed for processing of PTO applications. It will be ensured there is better coordination and accountability among various ministries and agencies to provide better facilities, comfortable and cost-effective travel for Indian pilgrims, the committee recommended.