Quota for Hajj 2013 reduced by 20%

In June, Saudi government came out with a ruling which reduced local quota by 50% and 20% for foreign pilgrims

The quota for Hajj pilgrims from India was officially reduced by 20% today to 1,36,020 from 1,70,025 due to a restriction imposed by the Saudi government this year in order to facilitate the construction and repair work going on near Haram Sharif or the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

In March this year when India and Saudi Arabia had signed the bilateral agreement on Hajj 2013, the quota for this year was fixed at 1,70,025. However, later in June, the Saudi government came out with a ruling which reduced the local quota by 50% and 20% for foreign pilgrims.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today the reduction was notified by the Embassy of Saudi Arabia due to the work going on near the main pilgrimage site and “to keep the area safe and secure for the pilgrims.”

The MEA also said that the matter was taken by the government with Saudi authorities and “sought a reconsideration of the decision” but in June Saudi government formally turned down India’s request.

Additionally, starting this year the Hajj Committee of India (HCOI) has restricted Hajj pilgrimage to “only once in a life time” opportunity as against “once in 5 years” earlier. This year 1,23,511 pilgrims are going through HCO, rest will be travelling through registered Hajj private tour operators (PTOs).

Thus, the 20% reduction will take place out of those pilgrims who are planning to visit through the PTOs. As a result, the seats through these PTOs have been reduced to 34,005 from 45,000.