Govt gets cracking on Haj issues

The government will set in motion a series of efforts aimed at addressing Haj-related issues, including the handling of the 28 court cases on various aspects of the subject in different parts of the country. Under review

The government will set in motion a series of efforts aimed at addressing Haj-related issues, including the handling of the 28 court cases on various aspects of the subject in different parts of the country.

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In view of appointment of the Haj Committee chairman being challenged in the court, the government is planning to entrust an “acting president” for the committee. The panel will look after the arrangements for this year’s Haj along with the nodal ministry for the pilgrimage — the external affairs ministry.

According to top government sources, having 28 court cases in different parts of the country — from Jabalpur to Kochi to Delhi — is pushing the government into thinking of an effective “coordination system” so that lapses, like the law officer not appearing in a case on June 26 in Delhi High Court can be taken care of.

“On the principle of ensuring all necessary arrangements for Haj, there is no two view in the government. The ministries concerned, be it law or MEA, have been working in tandem for the same. And a system for better coordination, considering the large number of cases going on in the different parts of the country, is being worked out”, a senior government official said.

Many of the cases that are going in different courts stem from External Affairs Minister SM Krishna’s decision to “streamline the private tour operators” from last year following allegations against them. And this year 1.6 lakh people are expected to go for the annual pilgrimage.