The Centre is scrapping VIP privileges for over 500 Hajj seats, a privilege which was brought in 2012. As per the norm, leaders holding constitutional posts are allowed to recommend names of people who want to embark on the pilgrimage. Making the announcement, union minority affairs minister Smriti Irani said that these seats will now be open for the common people.
The privilege was allocated to the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, the union minority affairs minister as well as members of the Hajj committee under the VIP Hajj quota. Irani said that a new policy is in the offing.
Minority ministry officials said that of these, 100 seats were set aside for the President, 75 for the Vice President, 75 were earmarked for the PM, 50 for the minority affairs minister. In addition to that, the Hajj Committee could send over 200 people for the pilgrimage.
India sends pilgrims to the Hajj as per an agreement with Saudi Arabia which allotts seats as per a quota to Indians. In India, the minority affairs ministry and the Hajj Committee then hand out the seats.
Over 70% of the allotted seats are then distributed to the minority affairs minister and the Hajj Committee, setting aside 30% for private tour operators. As operators charge exorbitant rates, ministry officials said that the new policy could look at a capping of costs. The discretionary quota was 5000 at one point which was brought down to 500 by a ruling by the Supreme Court in 2012.
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