Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali has assured that the State Government would make representations to the Centre for enhancement of Haj Quota for Telangana State.
Speaking after inaugurating the Qurrah (Draw of Lots) for selection of Haj pilgrims from Telangana State at Haj House in Nampally on Tuesday, the Deputy CM said that the Muslim population in Telangana state was high and the Haj Quota was very less. He said he would lead a delegation of Telangana legislators to New Delhi to seek additional quota and would also meet the Saudi Ambassador to India to request him to open a Saudi Consulate in Hyderabad. Efforts would be made to provide alternate accommodations in place of the Rubats acquired by Saudi Government in Makkah Mukarramah, KSA.
The Haj Committee of India has allotted a Haj Quota of 2532 pilgrims for Telangana State, out of which 2204 pilgrims under two reserved categories have already been declared selected for the pilgrimage of Haj 2016. This year as many as 17,423 Haj applicants had submitted applications for Haj from Telangana State.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that last year around 600 pilgrims were provided free accommodation with free food and laundry at Makkah in Hyderabad Rubat and this year efforts would be made to provide accommodation to 1000 pilgrims in the Rubat.
Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir lamented on the lesser quota for Telangana State and suggested that an all party delegation should meet the Union Minister for Minorities Affairs and press for giving more seats to the state. Congress MLC Farooq Hussain appealed the pilgrims to pray for strengthening secular values, better rainfall and tolerance in the country. TRS MLC Mohammed Saleem advised the pilgrims to bring change in their lives after the Haj pilgrimage.
GHMC Deputy Mayor Baba Fasiuddin, Minorities Welfare Department Secretary Syed Omer Jaleel, Haj Committee Special Officer Prof. S. A. Shukoor and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. (INN)