Hajj Ghar near Mangalore Airport by 2015: Qamar-ul-Islam
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Dec 15: Minister for minority welfare, Hajj, and Wakf Qamar-ul-Islam on Sunday December 15 said that two acres of land had been identified at Kenjar close to the Mangalore International Airport for the construction of 'Hajj Ghar' and a sum of Rs 3.5 lac has already been released for the fencing of the identified land.
He was speaking to reporters here after paying homage to former mayor Haji Abdul Khader who passed away on Saturday December 14.
"The centre will be able to accommodate around 1,000 Hajj pilgrims from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan and Kodagu districts. The Hajj Ghar will be functional by 2015. The construction of Hajj Bhavan in Bangalore is in the final sage. Five acres of land has also been identified near the airport in Gulbarga for the construction of Hajj Ghar, the minister added.
Information centre
The government is contemplating setting up of information centers similar to the single window system. "Eight of the ten centres have already been identified in the first phase and we will add more centers in the second phase. The purpose of establishing these centres is to simplify the process of availing government schemes for minorities. At least two people employed in each center will advise minorities about the schemes and also train NGOs," he said.
Loan and subsidy to purchase plot or house
The minister announced that Rs 25 crore has been earmarked in the budget to provide loan and subsidy up to Rs one lac to purchase a plot or a house. He also said that the government would increase the subsidy for minorities in micro-loan scheme from 25 percent to 50 percent.
Bidaai scheme
The minister said that under the Bidaai scheme (Shaadi Bhagya), underprivileged women belonging to Muslim, Christian, Jain and Buddhist communities can avail the facility. He said that Rs 10 crore would be distributed among 2,000 girls belonging to minority communities for their marriage. Among the total amount, Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for Muslims and Rs 2 crore for Christians, he added.