Question- On October 7, 2017, the Indian Haj Committee presented its report to Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. Under whose chairmanship this committee was constituted?
(a) Chaudhary Mahbub Ali Kaiser
(b) Afzal Amanullah
(c) Qaiser Shamim
(d) J. Alam
Answer: (b)
Related facts:
- On October 7, 2017, the Indian Haj Committee presented the report on Haj Policy, 2018-22, to Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.
- It is to be noted that a committee was formed under the chairmanship of senior retired IAS officer Afzal Amanullah for the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India to review the existing Hajj policy for the year 2013-17 and suggest the framework for the Haj Policy, 2018-22.
- The Terms of Reference of the Committee included the following;
- Review the existing Haj policy pertaining to HCoI and PTOs in the light of its objectives and achievements.
- Examine implications of various directions of the Supreme Court with regard to the existing policy and to suggest suitable amendments in the said policy in the light of such directions.
Review the effectiveness of arrangements made by HCoI for Haj pilgrims’ accommodation and - air travel including issues related with Haj subsidy.
- Examine the effectiveness of inter-relationship and coordination in the functioning of Haj Committee of India and CGI.
- Examine the aspects of transparency, consumer satisfaction and disclosure requirements for PTOs to protect interest of the Haj Pilgrims with a view to make the new policy of greater assistance to the pilgrims.
- Suggest measure for ensuring fair competition among PTOs and enhanced value for services provided by them.
- Examine any other issues relevant to Haj policy for HCoI and PTOs.
- Suggest the framework for new Haj policy for HCoI and PTOs in the light of the above.
- Major recommendations of the Committee are as under: Haj Policy of the Government for Haj Committee of India
1. Distribution of quota between HCoI and PTOs to be rationalised in the ratio of 70:30 for the next 5 years.
2. Seats among the States/ Union Territories to be distributed in the ratio of their Muslim population as well as in proportion to the number of applications received.
3. Quota for Mehram to be increased from 200 to 500.
4. Special quota for Jammu & Kashmir to be increased from 1500 to 2000.
5. States/ UTs receiving less than 500 applications to get priority in distribution of surplus seats. This will benefit UTs like Andaman & Nicobar Island, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu & Puducherry as well as smaller States like Chhattisgarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Manipur.
6. Reserved category of applicants viz. 70+ and 4th timers to be abolished.
7. Ladies above 45 years of age to be allowed in a group of 4 or more to go for Haj without Mehram.
8. Only one category of accommodation in Makkah, in Azizia and adjoining areas to be hired with new, multi storied modern buildings with transportation facilities for the pilgrims
9. Re-hiring arrangement to be made for new, good and big buildings in subsequent year.
10. All accommodation in Madinah to be hired in Markazia only.
11. Stay of all Indian Hajis to be ensured within the traditional boundaries of Mina.
12. Adahi coupons to be made compulsory for each pilgrim.
13. Breaking cartel of contractors with transparent bidding process. Hiring rate to be brought down with better negotiations.
14. Embarkation Points (EPs) to be reduced from 21 to 9 which are (1) Delhi (2) Lucknow (3) Kolkata (4) Ahmedabad (5) Mumbai (6) Chennai (7) Hyderabad (8) Bengaluru and (9) Cochin. Suitable Haj houses to be built at these EPs. States/Districts to be tagged with each EP properly.
15. Facilities created in discontinued EPs to be used for round the year training, orientation of pilgrims and other productive uses for the community.
16. Saudi Government to be consulted regarding Haj travel by ship and thereafter floating an EOI to gauge the market for such travel.
Policy of the Government for Private Tour Operators
17. A robust portal to be developed for processing of PTO applications.
18. A committee of 2-3 experts to consider representations of PTOs aggrieved by Haj Division’s decisions.
19. PTOs to be categorised in three categories in accordance with their experience and financial strength. The PTO quota to be divided in the ratio 30:40:30 among the three categories with the provision of allocation of seats in the ratio 200:100:50 to the individual PTOs.
20. A comprehensive empanelment policy for the PTOs to be formulated that would facilitate easier and quicker renewals. Empanelment to be done on the basis of documents as well as physical inspection of the PTOs. Stringent norms to be followed for blacklisting and forfeiture of security deposit of PTOs.
21. PTOs to collect full package costs from pilgrims through bank accounts only and render details to the Ministry before departure of pilgrims from India.
22. Each PTO to have a proper website with pre decided disclosure norms.
23. Nomenclature of PTO to be changed to Haj Group Organiser (HGO).
24. Steering Committee to be co-chaired by Secretary (MoMA) and Secretary (MEA) with senior officials of other concerned Ministries to be constituted for better coordination.
25. Two members Haj Goodwill Delegation from India to continue.
26. Amendment in Haj committee act to include Umra and Ziyarat to Syria, Iran, Iraq and Jordan, removal of obsolete provisions, inclusion of official of MoMA in the HCoI, etc.
Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintHindiRelease.aspx?relid=67536
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=171476
http://pibphoto.nic.in/documents/rlink/2017/oct/p201710701.pdf