Govt Directs Immediate Refund of 75% Pending Haj Dues; Audit to Clear Balance
Ziraat Times News Desk
New Delhi, November 22: The Haj Committee of India (HCoI) on Saturday held a day-long national conference aimed at strengthening operational preparedness and improving the experience of Indian pilgrims undertaking Haj-2026. The meeting, chaired by Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), focused heavily on digital transformation, financial transparency, and better pilgrim services.
The session began with a two-minute silence in memory of the pilgrims who died in a bus accident in Medina on November 17.
Dr. Kumar directed the Committee to ensure complete digitisation of all Haj-related operations, including the application process, service delivery, and post-Haj support. He said future systems must be fully portal-based and integrated with AI to eliminate manual procedures. “In the era of advanced technology, efficient and transparent service delivery is essential,” he stressed.
The Secretary also highlighted the need for robust digital platforms to support pilgrims at every stage of the journey, providing easy access to information, assistance, and financial services.
A major directive issued during the meeting was the immediate refund of 75% of all pending dues to pilgrims, with the remaining 25% to be processed after verification, due diligence, and audit. Dr. Kumar instructed the HCoI to hire a professional Financial Management Services (FMS) agency to streamline accounting and ensure round-the-clock self-assisted financial transaction support for pilgrims.
HCoI CEO Shanavas C said the Committee was committed to making Haj-2026 more efficient and pilgrim-friendly than previous years. Joint Secretary Ram Singh, who recently visited Saudi Arabia, shared insights on reducing procedural hurdles and improving the overall ease of undertaking the pilgrimage.
Representatives from various State and UT Haj Committees highlighted issues such as long travel distances to embarkation points and challenges faced by elderly and specially-abled pilgrims. The HCoI assured that these concerns would be taken up with the Ministry and relevant stakeholders to enhance logistics, accessibility, and support services.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India reiterated their commitment to ensuring a safe, well-organised, and pilgrim-centric Haj journey for all Indian citizens.
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