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| Hajj pilgrims call on Mehbooba, complain of shabby arrangements | | | Mecca | Dec 19
A large number of Hajj pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and Member Parliament Mehbooba Mufti here to bring to her notice various problems confronting them regarding accommodation and air travel.
Expressing dismay over the shabby arrangements made for their stay in Saudi Arabia, the pilgrims complained that although most of them had booked for A-class accommodation they were lodged in hotels and apartments that offered not even C-class facilities. "There is no water and electricity in the rooms and we are forced to live in congested rooms in appalling hygienic conditions," the pilgrims complained.
The pilgrims also expressed dismay over the reported change of norms by the Air India authorities for Jammu & Kashmir and Varanasi for carrying extra-baggage. "While the standard rate for per kilogram extra baggage is around 11 SRs, we are being asked to pay around 55 SRs per kilogram," the pilgrims said adding that such an unwarranted practice by Air India authorities is uncalled for as the pilgrims on way back home necessarily have added baggage to carry dates and Zumzum water. "We are being told that the extra-baggage would be sent through cargo and not with the passenger," the pilgrims said and added that if the extra-baggage is coming through the Air India cargo, there is absolutely no justification in charging such huge rates for the same as the cargo rates are usually reasonable.
Ms Mufti, who is herself performing the annual pilgrimage as part of the Indian goodwill delegation, assured the pilgrims that in future due care would be taken to ensure proper accommodation for the pilgrims from the State. She has taken up the matter with the Prime Minister's office in New Delhi. She spoke to the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's office, Mr Prithvi Raj Chauhan in this regard seeking his intervention in mitigating the problems confronting the pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir.
The PDP President has also taken up the concerns of the pilgrims regarding the extra-baggage with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi, asking the authorities there to look into the matter.
The PDP President said the State Government must also take up the matter at the official level with the concerned in New Delhi to ensure that the Hajj pilgrims from Jammu & Kashmir are not put to any trouble. |
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