General category pilgrims from state may miss Hajj this year

Haj aspirants from the state, whose names did not find a place in the pilgrimage list in the last three years and are entitled to take the journey to Mecca this year, will be selected through draw of lots in the wake of increased number of applications.
The number of aspirants entitled to take the pilgrimage this year is 6,900. However, the allotted quota for J&K, including the Government of India’s special allocation for the state, is only 6,121, creating a shortfall of nearly 800 seats.
“We are falling short of 779 seats. It may force us to select aspirants who were dropped in the past three years through draw of lots,” a senior Haj official told.
As per rules, the Haj authorities are supposed to accommodate all applicants falling under category – A (70 years and above) on priority followed by category – B applicants, which include aspirants dropped in the past three years.
This year, the authorities have so far received 2,900 applications under category – A, while 4,000 aspirants have applied under category – B, said the official.
After selecting aspirants from the two categories, the Hajj committee picks applicants for remaining seats from the general category through draw of lots.
The base quota for Jammu and Kashmir is 4,621, while the Centre allocates special quota of 1,500 seats to the state.
The number of applications received this year has increased from 29,755 in 2015 to 32,000, said the official.
With an increase in number of applications and a huge backlog to adjust, the Haj authorities have written to the state government to increase the quota.
“We have written to the Revenue Department to get approval for increased quota, otherwise we are bound to face public criticism in the wake of increasing backlog,” said the official, adding that it would be difficult for the committee to accommodate aspirants from the general category this year.
Commissioner Secretary, Revenue, Muhammad Afzal Bhat confirmed that the dropout aspirants would be selected through draw of lots.
“We sent a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday seeking an increase in the allocated quota of 1,500 seats. We are hopeful that our demand will be met,” Bhat said.