Rs22,675 hike proposed in Haj scheme package

Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has proposed Rs22,675 increase in government's Haj Scheme Package both for southern and northern parts of the country's intending pilgrims.
According to tentative Haj package 2016, prepared by the ministry, Rs278,646 expenditure has been proposed for government scheme pilgrims going to perform Haj from southern parts of the country as compared to last year's package of Rs255,971.
Likewise, Rs287,646 has been proposed for pilgrims embarking their Haj journey from northern parts of the country as compared to the same regions last years' package of Rs264,971.
Haj Mohafiz Fund Charges have been proposed to be enhanced from Rs400 per pilgrim to Rs600, service changes from Rs3,500 to Rs 4,000, train charges from Rs7,250 to Rs7,375, inter-city charges from Rs4,350 to Rs4,425, additional service charges from Rs14,500 to Rs14,750, compulsory Haj dues from Rs31,871 to Rs32,421, Madinah accommodation charges from Rs17,400 to Rs22,125 and Makkah accommodation charges from Rs87,000 to Rs 103,250.
According to the proposed Haj package, pilgrims aged 70 years or above should have an attendant aged less than 51 years.
The ministry is making efforts to deposit collection of Haj dues in the Islamic instruments in designated banks.
The quota including hardship, labour, UAE and SDF may be discontinued to facilitate maximum number of Haj pilgrims without discrimination.
The compensation amount to injured pilgrims (during Haj) is also being enhanced from Rs50,000 to Rs100,000 and from Rs100,000 to Rs200,000 in loss of one or two limbs respectively.