Pvt Haj tour operators failed to meet Saudi rules: Centre

PRIVATE TOUR OPERATORS SAID MUCH OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THEIR OPERATIONS WERE DUE TO A CHANGE IN RULES FOR ARRANGING THE HAJ BY SAUDI AUTHORITIES.

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI: Shortcomings on the part of private tour operators resulted in India losing out on more than 52,500 slots for the annual Haj pilgrimage though Saudi Arabia has agreed to accommodate 10,000 more Indian pilgrims, the minority affairs ministry said on Tuesday.

Reports of a cut or cancellation of some 50,000 slots for Indian pilgrims by Saudi authorities had prompted Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah and other political leaders to seek the Central government's intervention in the matter.

The minority affairs ministry clarified in a lengthy social media post on Tuesday that more than 800 private tour operators, officially known as Combined Haj Group Operators (CHGOs), were to blame for the loss of more than 52,500 slots as they "failed to meet critical Saudi deadlines" and could not finalise contracts for camps, accommodation and transportation at Mina, a city near Mecca where the pilgrims congregate.