Haj pilgrims urged to pray for State

Bangalore - Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday appealed to the Haj pilgrims from Karnataka to pray for the welfare of the nation and the State.

Speaking at a function organised by the Karnataka State Haj Committee for selection of pilgrims through the Computerised Qurrah Programme at the Banquet Hall in the Vidhana Soudha, Mr. Gowda said 5,332 Haj aspirants from Karnataka will be selected for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina in Saudi Arabia later this year.

The total number of Haj applicants from Karnataka, however, stands at 15,476, including 7,515 women and 16 infants up from 12,800 last year.

Though the quota of Haj pilgrims allotted to Karnataka is 5,332, as many as 1,190 have been selected under the category reserved for persons whose applications had been rejected for three consecutive years, and applicants aged 70 and above and their companions. The remaining 4,142 will be allocated under the district-wise quota.

Mr. Gowda also appealed to unlucky applicants not to be dejected. "You will be able to make the pilgrimage only if there is an invitation from Allah," he said.

Haj Ghar

Mr. Gowda said he was optimistic that the Haj Ghar, which is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 40 crore near Yelahanka, will be ready in two years. "There will be no shortage of funds for its completion," he said.

Mr. Gowda said the amount earmarked for minorities in last year's budget had been fully utilised. "About Rs. 100 crore has been disbursed in the form of student scholarship benefiting about 5.25 lakh students," he said and appreciated the Karnataka State Minority Welfare Department for cent per cent utilisation of funds earmarked for minorities.

About Rs. 400 crore has been earmarked for minorities under various heads this fiscal, he said.

Karnataka State Haj Committee Chairman S. Mohammed Ghouse Basha was appreciative of the efforts made by the officials of the Regional Passport Office, Bangalore, in securing passports to a majority of applicants.

Regional Passport Officer, Bangalore, Srinivasa, who was also present on the ocassion, said the application for passports submitted by prospective Haj pilgrims was "fast-tracked".

source: The Hindu