J-K CM directs officials on facilitating of state Haj pilgrims

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today directed for deputation of Secretary Revenue Department to the holy city of Medina Munawarah to oversee the arrangements and facilitate Haj pilgrims from the state upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Sayeed gave this direction while chairing a high-level meeting to finalise arrangements for Haj-2015, here, an official spokesman said.
"In order to facilitate Haj pilgrims from the state upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia, the Chief Minister issued directions for deputation of Secretary Revenue to Medina Munawarah to personally oversee the arrangements made by the State Haj Committee," the spokesman said.

He said apart from day-to-day coordination, the Revenue Secretary, who is also the Administrative Secretary for Haj and Auqaf, will liaise with Haj Committee of India and Saudi Government to ensure hassle-free customs and immigration clearance of the Hajis and fool-proof arrangements made for proper boarding and lodging in the holy cities of Makkah and Medina.
Laying stress on making appropriate arrangements at Medina, the chief minister, who is also the Chairperson of State Haj Committee, said it will be the responsibility of the Revenue Secretary to ensure that Haj pilgrims do not face any problem after they touchdown at the airport.

"The arrangements made for pilgrims in the Holy Land are as important as the arrangements made here. Majority of the pilgrims are performing Haj-e-Baitullah for the first time. Their proper handholding till they complete the holy pilgrimage is the responsibility of the Government," he said.
The chief minister asked the administration to take care of Jammu-based pilgrims, who are scheduled to arrive in Srinagar a day ahead of their flights.
He tasked the respective Deputy Commissioners and IGP Traffic for their hassle-free transportation to Haj House at Bemina.