The Haj Committee of India will soon release the draft of its new Haj policy.
Addressing a press conference at Haj House in Hyderabad, HCI Chief executive officer Dr. Shaker Hussain said that the new policy was being drafted as per the directions of the Supreme Court.
"The draft of new policy, to be implemented from 2013 to 2017, will be released soon to seek public suggestions and objections," he announced.
Dr. Hussain also said that this year, the Haj Committees had received 2.98 lakh applications, and that of them, 1.20 lakh pilgrims would be selected for Haj 2013.
Of them, 30,000 seats have been reserved for applicants of over 70 years of age, and for those who were not selected in the lucky draw for the last three years.
On Tuesday, pilgrims were selected from Andhra Pradesh and Delhi. The process of selection across the country will be completed within a week.
The HCI CEO asked the selected pilgrims to deposit their first installment of Rs. 76,000 by May 20.
The pilgrims in the Green Category (1,500 metres of Holy Kaba) will be charged 4500 Saudi Riyal for accommodation, while those in the Azizia Category (7 km radius) will have to pay 2,630 SR. All pilgrims will have to pay 500 SR for accommodation in Madina. (INN)