India’s Haj quota for this year restored to its pre-COVID level at 1,75,025

With this, the government will be able to send more pilgrims to Haj this year from states and union territories.

Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani said in a written reply to a question that the decision was taken on the basis of requests for quota restoration received during the dialogue session between the Center and other stakeholders on Haj management, including Haj Committees of States and Union Territories.

He informed that the issue was also addressed during the annual bilateral agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Haj 2023. He also said that both the countries took the decision despite the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Irani said, “This issue was addressed under the annual bilateral agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for Haj 2023 and despite the challenges of COVID-19, the country’s original Haj quota i.e. 1,75,025 will be performed.” Has been reinstated for 2023.” Said.

It is noteworthy that after the bilateral meeting, Smriti Irani had also informed about the expansion of Haj quota for Indian pilgrims on her Twitter account.

“Today, India signed the Haj 2023 Bilateral Agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). My congratulations to @MEAIndia and @CGIJeddah for their support and gratitude to KSA for Haj quota of 1,75,025 to India. We extend our full support for the success of Haj 2023,” Smriti Irani tweeted on January 9.

The fixed quota of pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia for Haj is fixed for the Haj Committee of India under annual bilateral agreements for various states and union territories.

The Haj Committee of India is expected to start its Haj 2023 registration for the pilgrims.

(with agency inputs)