KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Over 6,300 pilgrims were Saturday selected through draw of lots for the annual Hajj pilgrimage from Jammu and Kashmir even as authorities sought more seats from the Union Government after the state received a record number of over 32,000 applications this year.
The draw of lots was held at Hajj Committee of India server in Mumbai for the allocated quota of 6,359 aspirants, covering only the applicants under reserved categories, an official of the State Hajj Committee said.
He said there has been around 15 per cent increase in the number of Hajj aspirants in the state over the last year.
“The State Hajj Committee has received a record number of 32,298 applications which includes 2,905 applications under reserved category A (70-year plus applicants along with a defined companion), 4,009 under Reserved category B (4th time consecutive applicants) and 25,384 General Category applications,” an official said.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Hassan Samoon said the state has sought increase in the allocation of Hajj Quota from the Union Government to accommodate all reserved category applicants and some from the general category.
