New Delhi, Nov 22 (LatestNewsX) – At a full‑day national conference, the Chairperson of the Haj Committee of India (HCoI), Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar, urged the adoption of comprehensive digital solutions to streamline every phase of the pilgrimage, from application to post‑retreat services, for the upcoming Hajj in 2026.
Speaking in his capacity as Secretary of the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), Dr Kumar opened the discussion by highlighting the need to fully digitize all Haj‑related operations, turning them into a single portal that leverages artificial intelligence to eliminate manual hand‑offs. He stressed that in the age of technology, the highest priority must be transparent and efficient service delivery.
The gathering began with a two‑minute silence in memory of the travelers who perished in the bus tragedy in Medina on 17 November. Following the tribute, the Chairperson outlined a plan to provide pilgrims with uninterrupted access to information, assistance and banking operations throughout their journey.
To address outstanding financial matters, Dr Kumar ordered the immediate reimbursement of 75 % of all pending dues to pilgrims, with the remaining 25 % to be cleared after a thorough audit. He also recommended that the HCoI contract a professional Financial Management Services (FMS) firm to manage accounting, while offering 24/7 digital support for all financial transactions, underscoring the government’s pledge to accountability.
The session convened executive officers from all State and Union Territory Haj Committees, emphasizing collaboration with the HCoI to deliver world‑class facilities to every pilgrim. Key agenda items revolved around “Accommodation & Logistics”, involving detailed reviews of arrangements and coordination with Pakistani and Saudi partners. “Transportation & Baggage Handling” was another focal point, aiming to refine systems for seamless passenger flow and secure luggage protocols.
Workforce readiness was evaluated through training of Haj Assistants and Inspectors, with an insistence on high standards of service delivery, discipline, and strict adherence to operational protocols.
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