The Hindu : New Delhi News : Sajjan Kumar to contribute one crore for Haj House

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Wednesday, Mar 09, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Sajjan Kumar to contribute one crore for Haj House

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MARCH 8. The Member of Parliament from Outer Delhi, Sajjan Kumar, today announced that he would contribute a sum of Rs 1 crore for the construction of a Haj House -- that would be able to accommodate 1,000 Haj pilgrims -- and would be constructed by Delhi Development Authority near the domestic terminal of the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Dwarka.

Mr. Kumar said while all Congress MLAs from Outer Delhi would also contribute a total of Rs 1 crore out of their funds, the remaining expense would be borne by DDA. Raising the matter of hardship faced by Haj pilgrims in the Consultative Committee Meeting of the Urban Development Ministry, the MP had stated the need for another Haj House as the existing one at Ajmeri Gate was proving inadequate in providing accommodation to all the pilgrims.

He said agreeing with his suggestions, the Union Urban Development Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, had instructed the Secretary, Anil Baijal, to take appropriate action in this regard. Subsequently the Secretary convened a meeting of DDA officials wherein instructions were issued for taking up construction of the new Haj House, Mr Kumar said.

The Member of Parliament said while DDA has received several suggestions from the representatives of the Haj Committee, it has also been advised to hold discussions with them before finalising the construction plans of the Haj House. In this regard, Mr Kumar said it has been suggested that the model of the Haj House in Mumbai be seen so that the new one due to come up in Delhi is even more magnificent and possess all modern facilities.

Mr. Kumar also raised the issue of DDA not developing new graveyards and cremation grounds along with new residential colonies. As a result, he said, the Muslims were particularly inconvenienced as finding burial space nearby becomes difficult for them and they are forced to take the bodies to other colonies.

The MP said the Urban Development Secretary has also directed DDA to develop "Kabristans'' and "Shamshan Bhoomis'' as part of the infrastructural facilities in Dwarka, Rohini, Madan Pur Khadar, Bawana and all other places where DDA would develop residential colonies in the future.

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