TAMIL NADU STATE HAJJ COMMITTEE
As per the provisions contained in the Haj Committee Act, 2002, the Tamil
Nadu State Hajj Committee was constituted by the Government to look after the
welfare of Hajj pilgrims of Tamil Nadu and make arrangements for the smooth and
successful performance of Hajj pilgrimage.
The Committee while carrying out its duties, undertakes the following
activities subject to over all guidelines from Haj Committee of India and
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and the Government of Tamil
Nadu:-
1.
Procedure for application:
a. General Category:
Before the commencement of the Hajj season, various issues relating to
the forthcoming Hajj are discussed and finalised by the Haj Committee of India,
Mumbai. Based on the instructions from Haj Committee of India, Mumbai,
press release is issued by the Committee calling for applications for Hajj from
intending pilgrims every year and the last date for submission of filled in
applications is also notified by the Haj Committee of India.
The quota fixed for Tamil Nadu during Hajj 2009 was 3091; but the
Committee receives applications over and above the quota.
The issue of increase of allotment is usually taken up with the Haj
Committee of India after the last date. The
Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee normally received revised quota by diverting
unutilised quota from other States. Since
there are large number of applications, there is a two stage application, one
provisional and after selection detailed applications are called for.
b.
Quota for each State:
The Government of India fixes the quota for each State based on total all
India quota and the Muslim population in a State.
The applications are fed into computer and qurrah is conducted using
computer software and list of selected candidates is released then and there
since it is held in the presence of the applicants after giving suitable
publicity. Pilgrims who do not get selected under general category could
apply to the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India for release of
the seats from “Government’s Reserved/Discretionary Quota”.
But since the number of seats are limited, Government releases a few
seats generally based on specific recommendations from Central Ministers, State
Ministers, M.Ps., etc. The last date for receipt of applications under this category
is ten days before the last Hajj charter flight of the concerned
embarkation point.
(c)
International Passport:
The pilgrims in the past used to undertake travel based on temporary
pilgrim passes. But due to insistence of Saudi authorities, they are required
to take International passports.
(2) Building Selection
Team:
The selection of accommodation is done by representatives deputed by
State Hajj Committees. The Tamil
Nadu State Hajj Committee deputes one or two representatives under
Building Selection Team at State Government’s cost to assist the Consulate
General of India in Saudi Arabia, to select Buildings for the stay of Hajj
pilgrims.
(3) Training and
orientation camps:
A comprehensive orientation/training programme is conducted for the
pilgrims at district/taluk level to educate the intending pilgrims on the
various travel formalities and procedures to be observed while performing Hajj/Umrah
and about the likely difficulties they would face during the pilgrimage and
services offered by various departments like Consulate General of India, Jeddah,
Moallims, etc. The extensive
orientation programmes carried out through Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee at
district/taluk level is found very useful by the pilgrims.
The trainers with required qualifications trained by Haj Committee of
India, Mumbai every year are deputed to the various centres where training camps
are organised with the help of local voluntary agencies and members of the
Committee, and intending pilgrims are educated by these trainers.
Visuals are also shown in these programmes for better understanding by
the pilgrims and to avoid difficulties during the course of their journey.
(4) Inoculation camps:
Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee conducts inoculation programme against
meningitis in various districts based on the concentration of pilgrims.
Inoculation against Tetra vaccine is undertaken for every Hajj season and
National Institute of Communicable Diseases, New Delhi supplies the vaccine to
all State Hajj Committees. The
required doses of the Tetra vaccine is distributed to the Deputy Directors of
Health Services in various districts through King Institute, Chennai.
The staff of the Committee are deputed to various centres to conduct the
inoculation programme as per the dates fixed by the Committee.
The expenditure on deputation of staff is met from the Committee's funds.
(5) Screening for H1N1
(Swine Flu):
The
Tamil Nadu State Hajj Committee with the assistance of Corporation of Chennai
arranged for screening of Hajis for H1N1 flu at the Haj House and the required
number of Medical Officers are deployed for the purpose for 15 days.
The Hajis were issued H1N1 influenza symptom-free certificates after
proper check-up.
(6) Hajj Volunteers:
The Committee deputes one volunteer for every 300 pilgrims or part
thereof to Saudi Arabia to look after the welfare of Hajj pilgrims of Tamil Nadu
at State Government’s cost. The
Government of India calls for nominations of Hajj volunteers for deputation to
Saudi Arabia for every Hajj season. The
Hajj volunteers are in regular contact with the pilgrims in Saudi Arabia and
looking after their welfare during the Hajj pilgrimage.
They guide the pilgrims who lose their way to the accommodation centres
and in redressal of their grievances in coordination with staff of Consulate
General of India.
(7)
Duties and responsibilities of Government agencies during Hajj pilgrims’
movement from Chennai to Jeddah and back for Hajj pilgrimage:
(a) Airports Authority of
India:
(i)
Providing various support/facilities at airport such as shamiana, water
supply, P.A. system, prayer mats, etc.
(ii)
Providing parking facilities at airport, free of cost for the buses
carrying the pilgrims.
(iii)
Providing emergency medical help to the pilgrims at airport during
outward and inward flights.
(b)
Air India/Saudi Arabian Airlines:
(i) Operating
check-in counters at the Accommodation Centre and transporting baggages of the
Hajis to the airport.
(ii)
Coordinates the arrangements at Airport and at Head Office to avoid/
reduce delays in the operation of flights.
(iii)
Supply snacks/refreshments prior to boarding/departure for the Hajis.
(iv)
Providing information regarding delays in arrival of aircrafts from
Jeddah.
(c)
Customs and Immigration:
(i) Operating
dedicated counters and making special arrangements for clearing the pilgrims.
(ii)
Quick clearance of baggages by customs during return flights.
(d)
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Central Industrial Security Force:
(i) Issue
of passes to the volunteers, members of the Committee and other officials.
(ii)
Making adequate security arrangements for pilgrims at Airport.
(iii)
Assisting the pilgrims on departure/arrival and at the immigration
counters with the help of volunteers/staff of Hajj Committee.
(e) City Police and Sub-Urban Police:
1.
Providing bandobust at Haj House, Demellows Road, Chennai
2.
Providing bandobust and traffic regulation at Airport.
(8)
Services of voluntary agencies and other activities:
(i) Transit accommodation:
Transit accommodation is provided to the out-station pilgrims through
voluntary agency namely the Tamil Nadu Haj Service Society at Chennai
both during onward and return flights. For
this purpose, Tamil Nadu Haj Service Society has put up a multi-storeyed
building called Tamil Nadu Baithul Hujjaj and also an Annexe building in the
heart of Chennai city which can accommodate about 750 pilgrims at a time.
(ii)
Transportation of pilgrims:
Transportation is arranged to take the pilgrims from the accommodation
centre to the Airport and back, by M/s. Parveen Travels, Chennai, on payment of
nominal charges for incurring fuel cost.
(iii)
The Committee also brings out a Tamil version of Hajj Guide published by
Haj Committee of India, Mumbai for distribution to Hajis free of cost.
Similarly, procedural guides on Hajj and Umrah are also printed in Tamil
and distributed to Hajis. These
serve as the citizen’s charter.
(iv)
The office of the Committee has a separate Reception counter, where two
of its staff are deployed to furnish forms, guidelines and information to Hajis
and provide all required assistance. The
Committee has launched a website (www.hajjtn.org) containing all information
relating to Hajj. A notice board is
permanently available and all important circulars are displayed.
This also forms part of citizen’s charter.
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