Following the announcement of the Hajj package this year, several parties, including the parliamentary committee, in a plea to the high court demanded to reduce the amount by terming it excessive, but to no avail till date.
Religious affairs ministry deputy secretary Abul Kashem made it clear that the government has no chance to reduce the hajj package on the last day of hajj registration (Thursday).
Showing examples of high dollar prices and the increase in air fares, house rents and mobile fees he expressed the inability.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday (March 15), the Religious Affairs Ministry had also informed the High Court that it is not possible to reduce the hajj package cost.
Earlier, on Tuesday (March 14), the High Court commented that the Hajj package announced by the Religious Affairs Ministry for the current season was inhumane.
The court said, “In other countries of the world, the government keeps a separate budget for Hajj, but Bangladesh does not have it. We cannot decide to go for Hajj as the Hajj package price is very high. And how can poor people go there!”
Similarly, on Wednesday, the parliamentary committee recommended reducing the air fares for Hajj pilgrims. They said that the air fare should be reduced from Tk 197797 to Tk 150000. Meanwhile, the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry AbulKashem said that Thursday is the end of the registration period. So far, 23589 is left in the hajj package quota. Those who wish to register, have the opportunity to register till 11 pm.
After that the registration server will be closed automatically as soon as the quota is filled. It is also informed that if the registration is not confirmed by depositing the money in the bank within two working days after the preparation of the registration voucher, the voucher will be automatically cancelled.
Due to non-fulfillment of the quota, the deadline for Hajj registration at the government and private levels was extended several times earlier this year. The ministry mentioned in a notification on March 7 that the time will not be extended after Thursday (yesterday).
The Hajj will be held on June 27 (9th Zilhaj) (subject to moon sighting).
According to the Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia, 127198 people from Bangladesh will be able to perform Hajj this time. Out of this, 15,000 people will get a chance to perform Hajj under government management and the remaining 1,12,198 people will get a chance to perform Hajj under private management.
Officially, this year, Hajj will cost Tk 683018. And the minimum cost for private Hajj is Tk 672618.