Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (AF) - pics - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Nov 10: Hajj pilgrims from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts were vaccinated here at Yenopoya Hospital on Thursday November 9.

Speaking to presspersons, Wakf minister Zameer Ahmed, who was on a visit here, informed that as many as 6,900 people from the state will leave for Hajj this time. The travel expenses will come up to Rs 35,000 per head, out of which Rs 12,000 will be borne by the devotees and the government will provide the rest as subsidy.

The first batch of pilgrims will leave for Gulf on Wednesday November 22, he said. Pilgrims have been provided with fire-proof tents as part of safety measures.

The minister also announced the release of Rs 19 lac for maintenance of mosques, Idgah maidan and the cremation grounds in the district.

He suggested that a minimum of 15 per cent reservation should be provided for members of the minority communities in security forces and said that the compensation of Rs 20,000 given by the government to violence victims was insufficient.

Among those present were State Hajj Committee president Zulfikar Ahmed and zilla panchayat member Abdul Azeez.