Makkah, April 29: The government has announced new Haj policy for 2012 raising expenses and placing a restriction on performing Haj only once in five years.
Religious Affairs Minister Khurshid Shah while spelling out details, said Haj expenses have been increased by Rs21,000 for economy and Rs47,000 for green category. Exchange rate rise on Saudi Rial has led to the increase, Shah said.
There will be three categories of accommodation for Haj 2012. Blue category within 900 metres without transport with a rental ceiling of 7,500 Saudi riyals (SR); green category within 2,000 metres with transport with a rental ceiling of SR5,000 per pilgrim; and white category beyond 2,000 metres with transport facility with a rental ceiling of SR3,600.
The blue category has been introduced for the first time for those pilgrims who prefer to stay very close to Haram Sharif while white category is the most economic package for majority of the pilgrims.
The green category is arranged for the pilgrims opting to stay within 2,000 metres from Haram Sharif. The blue category is introduced for the first time.
In line with the new Haj policy, the government wants private Haj operators (PHOs) to restrict intending pilgrims from performing Haj or Umrah more than once in five years.
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