Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Centre blamed for Hajis’ problems

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister for Local Self-Government Paloli Mohammed Kutty said here on Sunday that the Union government and Air India were responsible for the difficulties caused to the Haj pilgrims.

In a statement here, the Minister remarked that the Union Minister of State in charge of Haj E. Ahamed was shirking his responsibility. His response to State government’s complaints indicated that he was even deriding the pilgrims.

Mr. Mohammed Kutty said the full responsibility of handling the pilgrimage in liaison with Saudi Arabia rested with the Haj Cell of the Union government and the Consulate General of India in Saudi Arabia. The State government or the State Haj Committee had nothing to do with that.

He also noted that it was the Union Minister of Foreign Affairs and Haj Cell which had entered into agreement with Air India regarding the travel of the pilgrims and transport of ‘Zamzam’ water.

The Central Haj Committee and the Consulate General oversaw the schedules. So, there was no point in blaming the State government for defaults from the part of Air India. It was for the Union Ministry to ensure that the Air India kept the terms of the agreement. The State government had no role in the matter, the Minister said.

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