‘Set up Haj house at city airport’

“Even smaller towns in the country have Haj houses for guiding the pilgrims better. One such Haj house should be set up in Chennai airport to facilitate Haj pilgrims when they start for the pilgrimage,” said Abubacker, Chairman, Tamil Nadu Haj Committee, while addressing the media, after meeting Palaniswami.

Abubacker handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to Chief Minister’s Relief fund for people affected by Cyclone Gaja. Abubacker said that Haj house will earn revenue of Rs 6 crore per annum for the state government and will attract various incentives from the Central government.

He also said that 1.75 lakh persons will go on Haj pilgrimage, this year, and close to 4,000 persons would from Tamil Nadu this year.

He also appreciated the state government for extending subsidy to Haj pilgrims despite the Union government discontinuing it. “Last year, 3,815 persons from Tamil Nadu went on Haj pilgrimage from Tamil Nadu and it is the only state in the country to continue providing subsidy for the Haj pilgrims even after the Centre discontinued it,” said Abubacker.