New Delhi: With the intervention of the Indian government, the Saudi Haj Ministry has offered a lifeline to private Haj operators whose quota of sending about 10,000 pilgrims faced cancellation due to delayed documentation, an official said on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) said that the Saudi Haj Ministry, in a rare gesture, has agreed to re-open the Haj Portal (Nusuk Portal) to all Indian Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs) to complete their work with respect to 10,000 pilgrims.
The portal had been closed earlier as CHGOs, despite reminders, had failed to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities to finalise the mandatory contracts, including for Mina camps, accommodation, and transport of pilgrims, as required under the Saudi regulations.
The Minority Affairs Ministry has now issued directions to Haj group operators to avail of the special relaxation offered by the Saudi authorities and urgently complete the formalities on the Nusuk Portal.
The matter of ‘cancellation’ of private tour operators’ quota was raised by Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister and President of the ruling National Conference (NC) Dr Farooq Abdullah on Monday.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and President of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti also expressed concern over the development.
“Urge the Ministry of External Affairs to immediately intervene by taking up this matter with the Saudi government to seek a resolution”, she said on social media platform X.
The Minority Affairs Ministry said that due to the Indian Government’s efforts, the Haj quota allocation for India has increased from 136,020 in 2014 to 175,025 in 2025.
These quotas are finalised by the Saudi authorities closer to the time of the pilgrimage, it said.
The Ministry, through the Haj Committee of India, manages arrangements for the bulk of the quota allotted to India, which is 122,518 in the current year.
The balance of over 52,000 slots of the quota were allotted, as is customary, to private tour operators, said a statement.
Due to changes in Saudi guidelines, more than 800 Private Tour Operators were consolidated into 26 legal entities termed Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs), by the Ministry this year.
Addressing legal challenges, the Haj quota was allocated by the Ministry to these 26 CHGOs well in advance. However, despite reminders, they failed to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities and failed to finalise the mandatory contracts, including for Mina camps, accommodation, and transport of pilgrims.
The Saudi Haj Ministry later informed that due to delays, the available space in Mina became occupied.
However, due to the Indian Government’s intervention, the Saudi Haj Ministry has agreed to re-open the Haj Portal (Nusuk Portal) to all CHGOs to complete their work in respect of 10,000 pilgrims, said a statement.
IANS
Bihar govt bans transfer of personnel involved in voter list revision
Patna: As preparations for the Bihar Assembly elections intensify, the state government has banned the transfer of personnel involved in the Special Intensive Voter List Revision Programme 2025 to ensure...
Uttarakhand: Political row erupts as licensing becomes mandatory for food vendors during Kanwar Yatra
New Delhi: The Uttarakhand government has mandated all food vendors catering to Kanwar Yatra pilgrims to prominently display their photo ID and shop license number, in a bid to ensure...
Puri stampede: Odisha govt assures thorough probe, people criticise insufficient security
Bhubaneswar: After three people were killed and many injured in a stampede at Saradhabali near the Gundicha temple in Puri on Sunday, the Odisha government said that a thorough probe...
25 prison officials in Punjab suspended in crackdown against drug networks
Chandigarh: In a major action against corruption and drug networks in prisons, the Punjab government on Saturday said it has suspended 25 officials, including three Deputy Superintendents and two Assistant...
Key financial changes coming in July: From Aadhaar-PAN rule to new bank charges
New Delhi: From July, several important financial changes will come into effect, directly impacting individual taxpayers and bank customers. These include a new Aadhaar verification rule for PAN applications, an...
Publication of 6th Pay Commission report likely to open Pandora’s box for Bengal govt
Kolkata: As an order from a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court has made it binding for the West Bengal government to publish the recommendations of the 6th Pay...
Centre issues Census notification: J&K, Ladakh, Himachal, U’Khand in 2026, rest in 2027
New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry on Monday issued the official notification for conducting the population census in the country. The Census, which will also include humongous data collection, including...
Bridge declared unsafe was still standing, accountability must be fixed: Cong slams Maha govt over Pune tragedy
New Delhi: The Congress party on Monday trained guns at the BJP-led Maharashtra government over the tragic bridge collapse in Pune’s Maval tehsil, accusing it of criminal negligence and also...
Tripura: Authorities get strict as 60 per cent consumers found not paying power bills
Agartala: Around 60 per cent electricity consumers in Tripura do not pay energy bills, forcing the authorities to take drastic steps including disconnection of power lines and imposition of hefty...
RBI urged to tighten banking norms after ICICI employee’s multi-crore FD fraud
New Delhi: In wake of revelations that a female employee of ICICI Bank illegally withdrew crores of rupees from more than 100 customer accounts, including fixed deposits (FDs), financial experts...
Delhi’s Batla House demolition drive faces legal scrutiny amid resident outcry
New Delhi: Tensions have escalated in Southeast Delhi’s Batla House area after several homes and commercial establishments were marked with red Xs, an ominous sign that locals say has historically...
Demolition drive at Delhi’s Madrasi Camp amid residents’ discontent
Delhi: A major demolition drive is underway at Madrasi Camp, a slum cluster located along the Barapullah drain in Southeast Delhi's Jangpura, following a directive from the Delhi High Court...
