MALAPPURAM: The draw of those who have applied for Hajj through the State Hajj Committees will be held in the first week of April. As the first flight will depart on May 21, the Central Hajj Committee will speed up the further proceedings.

Pilgrims have to submit the first installment followed by the second installment and passport after drawing lots. Visa stamping may start in mid-April after the completion of vaccinations.

Seat allotted by Saudi to India.........................1,75,025
For the central Haj committee..........................1,40,020
For private Hajj groups .......................................35,005
Kerala expects........................................................ 11,000 - 13,000 seats
Included by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.....13,300 (Karipur- 8,300, Kochi- 2,700, Kannur- 2,300)

Private quota will be reduced

Hajj quota is proportional to the Muslim population of the states. A share of the states where applications are few may also be available.

19,531 people have applied through the State Haj Committee. Out of this, 1,462 persons above 70 years of age and their helpers and 2,799 persons in the category of unmarried women (above 45 years of age) will get a chance without drawing lots. There is a total of 4,261 people. There are 15,270 applicants in the general category. 11,951 people chose Karipur, 4,124 people chose Kochi and 3,456 people chose Kannur. The private quota has been reduced to 35,005 as per the Hajj policy of the Union Ministry of Minorities. The quota was 45,000 in 2019. Instead of allocating 70% of seats to Hajj committees and 30% to private Hajj groups, this time the ratio was changed to 80:20. VIP quota has been stopped. This will be helpful for the people who applied through State Hajj Committees.

After the draw, other steps will be expedited. States have been directed to appoint one trainer for every 250 pilgrims. The training for them will soon be held at the Central Hajj Committee Center in Mumbai.

-AP Abdullakutty, Chairman, Central Hajj Committee