JEDDAH: The Indian government is considering changes in rules pertaining to Haj quotas for private tour operators (PTOs).
“In order to make the Haj quota allocation process for private tour operators transparent and fair, the government is keen on changing rules under which even operators without any experience would be eligible,” an Indian official said on Wednesday.
“There were 298 Indian private tour operators last year and there could be 200 more such operators if the government effects the changes,” said B.S. Mubarak, consul (Haj, P&I) at the Consulate General of India.
Whatever the number of tour operators, their overall quota remains unchanged at 45,491. An additional 115,000 pilgrims are coming through the Haj Committee of India (HCI). “We have asked for an additional quota of 15,000 for the HCI and are awaiting its approval by the local authorities,” he said.
Asked whether there could be a reduction in the number of pilgrims coming for Haj this year, Mubarak said, “Even if some pilgrims drop out or are not included following the Kingdom’s advisory that the sick, aged and children should not undertake the pilgrimage, a long waiting list exists and there could always be replacements available.”
The advisory also includes that pilgrims should take precautions against swine flu. Each group among private tour operators should have a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 600 pilgrims.
It is easier for a smaller group to manage pilgrims, but many of them may not find it economically viable, as they have to provide a number of facilities including a leader, a doctor and a cook. Moreover, it remains the responsibility of private operators to ensure their pilgrims remain comfortable throughout the pilgrimage.
The External Affairs Ministry has decided to allocate the Haj quota among private tour operators in accordance with the principles of openness, transparency, equity and providing equal opportunity to those operators who are “eligible and fulfill the prescribed criterion for being a duly registered tour operator.”
This decision was taken at a meeting chaired by External Affairs Minister S.M. Krisha in New Delhi last week in compliance with the various court cases of this year and last year.
Until 2008, the Haj quota was distributed among private tour operators on the basis of their qualifications and experience. Because of this, no new private tour operator could qualify for Haj quota owing to their lack of experience, something that led to several of them approaching the courts.
Since 2008, various court decisions have underlined the need for equitable and fair allocation of Haj quota among all eligible PTOs including new applicants.
The meeting held by Krishna decided that if any of the PTOs’ applications was not accepted, the objective reasons behind the decision would be clearly spelt out in a transparent manner.
