The cabinet has approved the draft of Hajj Package 2015, which makes it mandatory for prospective pilgrims to register online and have machine readable passports (MRPs) to perform hajj.
The draft was approved at the weekly cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the secretariat yesterday.
A total of 101,758 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be allowed to perform hajj next year, which was 98,000 this year. Only 10,000 of them can go on the pilgrimage under government arrangements.
Cabinet Secretary M Musharrof Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the meeting pilgrims would have to choose from two packages in 2015.
“The estimated cost for the first package, excluding the cost for sacrificial animal, will be Tk354,745, up from the previous year’s figure by Tk429. The second package will cost Tk296,206, excluding the cost for sacrificial animal, and involves an increase of Tk430 compared to the previous amount,” he explained.
Musharrof said hajj packages announced by private agencies could not cost less than Tk296,206, and the agencies would be allowed to offer two hajj packages at most.
Besides, every pilgrim will have to carry an additional 500 Saudi Riyals with him for the purpose of sacrificial animal. Apart from this, every pilgrim could carry a maximum of $1,000 with him.
Pilgrims willing to perform hajj under government arrangements will need to pay Tk151,690 during online registration for airfare and other fees while it will be Tk148,331 for those choosing private agencies. Online registration for hajj can be done from January 21 to February 5.
The remaining Tk2,03,055 for package 1, and Tk144,516 for package 2, will have to be paid by June 10 next year. The amount will cover costs like accommodation, food and other expenses.
The cabinet secretary said the Saudi Arabia authorities had introduced a new electronic hajj management system for the next year, which would require the pilgrims to register themselves online in advance and to have MRPs.
“Online registration will involve no hassle as internet connections are available even in villages and union digital centres,” he said.
“Accordance to rules set by the Saudi Arabian Monitoring Authority, all hajj pilgrims flying to the realm under private arrangements will need to open personal bank accounts in Saudi Arabia to deposit the money they will spend during their stay,” added the cabinet secretary.
