Help desk for Haj pilgrims' online application inaugurated at Silchar

Deputy Speaker of Assam Legislative Assembly, Mr Aminul Haque Laskar and Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Keerthi Jalli, IAS, inaugurated the help desk which will start rendering its service on weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

At the outset, additional deputy commissioner Syeda Khaleda Sultana who is also Ex-officio Secretary of District Haj Committee, Cachar, welcomed all the distinguished guests and explained the purpose of the programme and its objectives.

ADC, Sultana also urged the media to disseminate the news initiative undertaken by the District Haj Committee among the public so that the needy can approach the help desk to complete online form submission.

All the dignitaries present were greeted with a “uttorio” by the District Haj Committee.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker, Aminul Haque Laskar said this help desk for online application will facilitate the Haj pilgrims as number of pilgrims in Cachar district is maximum compared to other districts of Barak Valley.

 “Minister for Minority Affairs Ranjit Dutta has sanctioned Rs 5 crore under MSDP fund for the construction of new Haj Bhavan which will be constructed at Madhurbond area of Silchar and for this 5 bigha of land has been alloted to the District Haj Committee already by the District Administration,” he quipped. 

Deputy Speaker also requested Deputy Commissioner to take necessary steps so that the vacant land of District Haj Bhawan can be converted into a shed because the pilgrims who will assemble there can apply online for pilgrimage to Mecca.

It was informed in the meeting that Altaf Hussain owner of Cachar Traders, Silchar will bear the expenses towards the construction of shed which will come up on a vacant plot of land of District Haj Office, Silchar.

Deputy Speaker appreciated him for his generous effort.

Deputy Commissioner cum Chairperson of District Haj Committee, Keerthi Jalli mentioned this was her first meeting as a Chairperson of District Haj Committee since she joined here as Deputy Commissioner.

“The help desk will aide the pilgrims a great deal. It will facilitate the pilgrims as previously these applications which were filled up offline, can now be applied through online for pilgrimage and for that no cost is involved,” she said.

She said due to COVID-19 pandemic, the pilgrims could not move to Mecca in March this year and this time the pilgrims should maintain all COVID protocols while performing Haj.

Taimur Raja Choudhury, who is also the Joint Secretary of District Haj Committee, Cachar lauded the efforts taken by Deputy Speaker Laskar and also thanked the Deputy Commissioner. He mentioned that former MP, Silchar, Sushmita Dev sponsored the tiles of the District Haj Office building while the furniture of this office were donated by Altaf Hussain owner of Cachar Traders. However, he also mentioned that the remuneration of the operator of the help desk will be provided by Deputy Speaker, Laskar.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by the Joint Secretary of District Haj Committee, Taimur Raja Chowdhury.