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India scraps VIP Haj quota. What was it?

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DailyBiteJan 12, 2023 | 11:15

India scraps VIP Haj quota. What was it?

The annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year. (Reuters Photo)

The Indian government has decided to scrap the VIP Haj quota that was available to people in top constitutional posts and the Minority Affairs Ministry. Union minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday (January 11) said that the step has been taken as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to end 'VIP culture'.

"VIP culture was put in place with respect to Haj during the UPA rule under which there was a special quota allocated to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Haj Committee, and all those in top constitutional posts," she told TV9 Bharatvarsh.

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What was the VIP Haj quota? Around 500 people could go to Haj through seats allocated to the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Minority Affairs minister, and the Haj committee under the VIP Haj quota.

  • There were 100 seats in the President's quota, 75 in the Vice President's quota, 75 in the PM quota, and 50 in the minority affairs minister quota. 200 seats were reserved with the Haj Committee of India.
Union minister Smriti Irani said that VIP culture was put in place with respect to Haj during the UPA rule.

Haj cost: The Haj cost from India is Rs 3,90,000 as per the package given by the Haj Committee of India. So, if 500 people were given the VIP Haj quota under the old scheme it would cost the Indian government Rs 19,50,00,000 (19 crore, 50 lakh).

Misuse of the quota? Smriti Irani said that when it was started in 2012, there were around 5,000 seats under this special quota, and if one knew someone in the government, one would be given a special category seat.

  • Now all Haj pilgrims will go through the Haj committee and private tour operators only.

India's Haj quota: "India has got a quota of 1 lakh 75 thousand pilgrims for Haj 2023. And this time, a record number of over 30,000 Muslims from Uttar Pradesh will undertake the Haj pilgrimage this year," Uttar Pradesh Hajj Committee Chairperson and the Minister of State for Minority Welfare Muslim Waqf, Mohsin Raza said.

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The annual Haj pilgrimage by Muslims in Saudi Arabia will return to pre-pandemic levels this year after restrictions saw the annual religious commemoration curtailed over concerns about Covid, AP reported quoting authorities.

Last updated: January 12, 2023 | 11:15
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