The government has formulated a fresh policy, finalising two different packages for pilgrims wishing to perform Hajj this year.
The first package will cost Tk 354,316 while the second will cost Tk 295,776.
The decision was made in line with recommendations of the religious affairs ministry tabled during yesterday’s cabinet meeting held at the secretariat. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan briefed the media following the meeting.
He said that all the expenditures of the pilgrims, including residence and banquet facilities, would be spent from the package money. However, an additional charge of Tk 10,500, equivalent to SR 500, would be applicable for Kurbani purposes.
A total of 101,758 Bangladeshi hajis are expected to perform hajj this year as the Saudi Arabian authorities allowed Bangladesh to send pilgrims equivalent to this number.
The government will provide 10,000 pilgrims with state facilities under two separate packages while arrangements for 91,758 pilgrims will be made under private agreements.
In the case of private arrangements, however, pilgrims must pay Tk 295,776, the minimum cost of the second package, said the cabinet secretary.
Earlier, Jahangir Alam, deputy secretary of the religious affairs ministry, confirmed the Dhaka Tribune that information on the new hajj packages would be made public by March 15.
The government introduced two separate hajj packages, Tk 347,027 for package-1 and Tk 278,742 for package-2, last year.
The Cabinet Secretary said the Saudi Arabian authorities had introduced new provision for supplying foods to the pilgrims by their registered catering service company and opening bank accounts of the hajj agencies in the realm. The accounts will be used for residence and banquets cost transactions of the hajis.
A high-level delegation led by the Religious Affairs Minister signed several agreements with the Saudi authorities during a visit to the kingdom from February 14 to 22.
