Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Zubin Irani today inaugurated a two-day orientation-cum-training programme for Hajj deputationists. A total of 468 deputationists have been chosen for medical and administrative duties to facilitate the movement of one lakh 75 lakh pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage this year.
Speaking on this occasion, the Minister said, this year more than four thousand three hundred women without mahram will visit Hajj which is the highest number till date. She said, the Government is focusing on reducing the cost of Hajj pilgrimage for the Indian pilgrims. She said, FOREX cards are being disbursed through SBI for the first time. She said, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been directly involved in medical screening of pilgrims and selection of medical deputationists. During the event, the Minister released a Haj guide which will be distributed among Hajj pilgrims and deputationists.
