MARGAO: Shaikh Jina who is the vice president of the All India Haj Committee appealed to people to fill the forms to participate in the 2019 Haj immediately as there are fears that Goa may not be the embarkation point for departure for Haj.
Briefing media persons, he said Air India is demanding at least 600 people leaving for the Haj from Goa and pointed out that last year there were only 120 Goans while he using his national committee influence arranged 200 pilgrims.
Disclosing that he would be writing to the Union minister over this matter and has already discussed the same with South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar who, he said, has promised all help, Jina said it was important that Goans register to undertake the Haj.
He urged the people to register for the regular Hajija and not to opt for the Green channel as that is costlier and not worth it as the rooms are not very comfortable given the fact that they are old accommodations.
He said while it costs around Rs 2 lakhs to make the pilgrimage through the government scheme, undertaking the pilgrimage privately would cost nearly Rs 5 lakh as accommodation will have to be in starred hotels.
