VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Haj Committee chairman Badwel Shaik Gausal Azam has urged Union minister for minority affairs Smriti Irani to re-declare Vijayawada international airport for Haj pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh.
The chairman and officials of Hajj committees of all states participated in a meeting organized by the Union ministry in Delhi on Saturday. Azam, Ishaq Basha and Abdul Qadeer represented Andhra Pradesh.
Azam said that many international flights have resumed their operations from Vijayawada airport. It would be in the fitness of things if Vijayawada is included for the next Haj pilgrimage. He mentioned that pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh were facing problems with accommodation, which were provided in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. He urged Irani to permit the Hajj committee to visit Saudi Arabia one month before to resolve the difficulties by taking the issues to the notice of the Saudi government.
Azam said that only permanent government employees are allowed to render volunteer services and sought permission to contract employees for volunteering with the Hajj committee. He said that the Union minister had responded positively.
