(a) whether a large number of Haj pilgrims failed to perform the pilgrimage as their applications were rejected at the last moment;
(b) if so, the reasons for rejection of their applications; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to accommodate all the applicants for the Haj pilgrimage?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)
(a), (b) & (c) No application for Haj pilgrimage is rejected by the State Haj Committees unless received after the last date for submission. In order to accommodate more Haj pilgrims Government of India persuaded the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to increase India`s quota for Haj - 2000 from 91,000 to 120,000 pilgrims. Further, for Haj - 2000 Government has increased Central Haj Committee`s quota from 66,000 to 72,000 in order to accommodate the excess number of applications received from Maharastra, Gujarat and Delhi.