The number of Indian pilgrims who went to Saudi Arabia for Haj in the last three years, is as follows:

(i) 1996                                   75,000 (approx.)

(ii) 1997                                  87,516

(iii) 1998                                 95,119

Since Haj 1995, all Indian Haj pilgrims travel only by air.

For 1999, Government have not yet fixed the quota of Indian pilgrims performing Haj through the Haj Committee. This is expected to be done in the next one month after which State-wise quotas will be determined by the Haj Committee. The airfare paid by pilgrims who go for Haj through the Haj Committee is Rs. 12,000/ -. (Source: LSUQ No.1252 dated 3.6.1998 by A. Jogi)

Pilgrims Proceeded for Haj 1998

(*Proportion of pilgrims higher than proportion in total population - Editor).

On Stampede at Mina

According to the Saudi Government, as on May 17, 1998, 95,119 Indian pilgrims went for Haj, of which a  total of 63, 583 pilgrims had gone through the Haj Committee, Mumbai ... 32 Indian nationals were killed in the Mina stampede on 9th April, 1998. A few sustained minor injuries and were discharged from the hospitals within a couple of days. ... No compensation has been paid. We remain in close touch with the Saudi Government, which improves upon the Haj arrangements every year ... We also propose to provide improved training and orientation programme for pilgrims to prepare them for the safe completion of their Haj rituals.

(Source: LSUQ No. 162 dated 27 May, 1998 by M.H. Gavit, M. Singh, D.S. Ahire and M. Kanodia)

Accommodation for Haj, 1998