UP Haj quota raised by 3,000 seats

LUCKNOW: The haj quota for Uttar Pradesh has been raised by 3,000. This is for the second time that UP's quota has been increased.
An announcement to this effect was given by minister for minority welfare Azam Khan here on Thursday. Talking to reporters, Khan said the quota has been increased by the Union government on the request made by the Akhilesh government.
Chairman, State Haj Committee, Tanveer Ahmed Siddiqui said the lottery for the allocated 25,359 seats was held on May 15 last. Following persistent efforts by the state government, the Haj Committee of India added another 5,589 seats. And now, another 3,000 seats have been added. Thus, some 8,500 people in the waiting-list would be able to go on haj this year.
The minister also reviewed preparations being made to send pilgrims on haj. He warned officials of dire consequences in case of laxity.