HYDERABAD, India, 5 July 2006 — Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy has requested the Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed to raise Andhra Pradesh’s pilgrim quota for the coming Haj. This should be done as a special case to avoid disappointment to a large number of aspirants.
In a letter to the minister, Reddy said Andhra Pradesh has been allotted a quota of 4,955 pilgrims whereas the State Haj Committee has received 9,225 applications. A large number of applicants are approaching the government daily for confirmation of their seats and enhancement of the quota, he added.
