Action against errant Hajj tour operators

by Mohammed NAALIR

Stringent legal action will be taken against Hajj travel operators, if they are found guilty of increasing the Hajj fare above Government permitted fare of Rs. 340,000, Minister-in-Charge of Hajj Committee, Senior Minister A.H.M. Frowzi said.

A committee will be set up to investigate the matter and legal action will be based on complaints made by Hajj pilgrims, the Minister said.

Although the Hajj pilgrims do complain, it is difficult to take immediate action against the operators until the pilgrims return to Sri Lanka, he said.

Further investigations of the Hajj Committee will depend on the complaints made by pilgrims relating to additional payment above the Government permitted fare.

The Committee was informed of several incidents of increase in fare from Rs. 450,000 to Rs. 500,000, the Minister said.

Meanwhile Y.L.M. Navavi, Director, Muslim Affairs, Department Director said that no room will be left to increase the Hajj fare.

If they were informed of such occurrences so far, immediate action will be taken against Hajj travel operators. He said that 3,800 pilgrims will fulfill Hajj duties this year, 2,000 out of them have gone to Makkah so far. The last group will leave on November 2.

Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana has instructed the Hajj travel operators not to increase the fare over Rs. 340,000 as this is a religious deed.

They have a big responsibility and should not impose burden on Hajj pilgrims.

The Governor said that legal action will be taken against the operators who increase the fare in addition to the Government's permitted fare. Their licenses will be cancelled from next year.