JK govt to bear about Rs 50 lakh to vaccinate Haj pilgrims

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today announced about Rs 50 lakh grant to the Hajj Committee for free influenza vaccination to the pilgrims performing the annual Haj from the state this year.
The announcement was made by Omar at a meeting convened here to review the arrangements made for the pilgrims scheduled to undertake the annual pilgrimage, an official spokesman said.
He said the State Health Department would make necessary arrangements in this regard.
The Centre had recommended vaccination of Hajj pilgrims against influenza. The cost of each doze of influenza vaccine is over Rs 600 and it was to be borne by the pilgrims themselves.

"Now, by the announcement of the Chief Minister it will be free of cost to Haj pilgrims of the state," the spokesman said.
The spokesman said the Chief Minister, who is also chairman of the state Hajj Committee, saw a presentation by Chief Executive Officer Hajj Committee Fayaz Ahmad Lone on various aspects of arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of Hajj-2013.

The state government has been allotted 8,819 seats and no reduction has been made on the allotment due to the persuasion of Chief Minister at the Central level.
This year, the state government received 71 more seats as against the last year's quota of 8748.

Earlier, the members of the reconstituted Hajj Committee re-elected Omar and Minister for Hajj and Auqaf Peerzada Mohammad Sayed as the Chairman and the Vice Chairman of the State Hajj Committee unanimously, the spokesman said.