New software to check second-time Haj pilgrims launched in Karnataka

Karnataka’s Haj Committee has introduced software that screens applications of Haj pilgrims and identifies those who try to go on Haj for a second time within five years of their first pilgrimage.

Inaugurating the software called “Hajkar software”, Karnataka’s Minister for Wakfs and Haj Zameer Ahmed Khan said the new software would store the names, photos and addresses of all the pilgrims, who have gone on a Haj pilgrimage. “This will help us identify people, who try to undertake a second pilgrimage within five years of their first one”, he said.

Citing the rules of the Central Haj Committee, Zameer Ahmed Khan said people, who have undertaken a pilgrimage to Haj in the last five years are not entitled to make use of the Government quota again. “But, over 30 per cent of applicants violate norms and, as a result, first-time applicants lose out a chance. We go this software developed to prevent this kind of misuse”, he said.

With people going on a pilgrimage to Haj entitled to a Government subsidy, many pilgrims opt for a place in the Central Haj Committee’s quota. “Many people prefer the Haj Committee rather than private travel agents for a pilgrimage to Haj because of the subsidy”, he said.

The software, which had been developed at a cost of Rs 380,000 can compare photos with data pertaining to past applicants and help the Haj Committee give priority to first-timers, Zameer Ahmed Khan said. The State Haj Committee will also exchange the data with the Central Haj Committee, he said.

Meanwhile, quota for Haj pilgrims from Karnataka has been increased to 6,600 this year from the 4,500 last year. The first batch of Haj pilgrims will leave Bangalore in the wee hours of November 23. “The first of the three flights scheduled for November 23 will leave Bangalore at 12.10 am”, Zameer Ahmed Khan said