SBI: According to a formal announcement, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has undertaken many steps to increase the comfort, accessibility, and affordability of Haj 2023 for Indian Muslims. Devoted efforts have also been taken to ensure that the pilgrim selection process is impartial, open, effective, expeditious, and devoid of human interference. Of the 1.84 lakh applicants who submitted applications for the Haj, 14,935 were given assured allotments, including 10,621 in the category for people aged 70 and up and 4,314 women who will complete the Haj without a “Mehram” (male companion). According to a statement from the government, this is the largest group of women ever travelling alone to Haj.
Each of the 1.4 lakh chosen pilgrims received a text message
It said that the applications received in excess of the Haj quota were decided upon using an online randomised digital selection (ORDS) procedure. In an effort to promote transparency, the statement added that for the first time, the list of chosen and waitlisted candidates was posted on the official portal right away after the selection process. Each of the 1.4 lakh chosen pilgrims received a text message informing them of their selection for Haj 2023. The waitlisted candidates have also received a text message advising them of their place on the list, according to the statement.
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SBI will erect booths at each embarkation point
The ministry and the SBI have joined together to develop unique arrangements to give the pilgrims foreign currency. The Haj Policy 2023 gives pilgrims the option to arrange their own foreign currency or take a smaller amount of foreign exchange, depending on their needs, as opposed to previous years when each pilgrim was given 2,100 Saudi riyals by the Haj Committee of India in place of Indian currency, regardless of his actual requirements. Additionally, the SBI will erect booths at each embarkation point with dedicated nodal officials of the necessary rank to assist pilgrims in collecting foreign currency in cash or via a forex card as well as to offer any necessary advice and support. The SBI will run a helpline, and shortly the contact information for these nodal officers would be made available, according to the announcement. India has been given a quota of 1,75,025 Haj pilgrims for the current year. On May 21, the first flight from India to the pilgrimage will take off. The yearly rite of passage will occur towards the end of June.
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