Haj pilgrimage Govt’s priority: Bidhuri

Srinagar, May 31: The Commissioner Secretary, Haj and Auqaf, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri Tuesday said that Haj pilgrimage is important and priority for the Government and asked the Haj Committee of J&K to ensure that adequate facilities are made available to the pilgrims, selected for this year, during their departure to Saudi Arabia.
The Commissioner Secretary directed the Chief Executive Officer of Haj Committee to install signage, hoarding of Dos and Don’ts well in advance besides ensuring proper cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation in and around the Haj House Complex including the residential areas.
These directions were issued by the Officer while visiting the Haj House here in Bemina and reviewing the arrangements put in place by the administration for smooth conduct of the Haj-2022.
Special Secretary Revenue, K K Sidha and Under Secretary Revenue Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat accompanied the Commissioner Secretary during the visit.
Kumar inspected the residential complex, departure hall, vaccination room, health centre and instructed the concerned authorities to mobilize all men and machinery for better conduct of Haj departure. He asked the concerned officers to work in close coordination with line departments and keep an adequate number of volunteers available in all areas like reception, check-in point, vaccination, foreign exchange, bus boarding places and help desk areas.
The Commissioner Secretary instructed the CEO that every pilgrim must get all Haj related information through SMS including help line numbers of the Centres established by UT J&K Government, Haj Committee of India at Jeddah besides making wide publicity of the flight schedules.
The Director Health Services Kashmir informed that adequate arrangements have been made by the department for vaccination and mandatory RTPCR of selected Haj pilgrims. He said a team of dedicated staff from the health department will be available at Haj House for the assistance of pilgrims during the departure period.
Earlier, the CEO, J&K Haj Committee Dr Abdul Salam briefed the Commissioner Secretary about the arrangements and facilities made available in the Haj House. He said that all arrangements including transportation of pilgrims to Airport have been made well in advance for the comfortable stay and departure of the pilgrims.
This year 5902 persons, including 5700 from Jammu and Kashmir and 202 from Ladakh are going on the holy pilgrimage for which the flights are commencing from June 5, 2022.