Akhilesh wants to raise UP's quota of Haj pilgrims

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday requested the central government to increase the quota of Haj pilgrims from the state.In a letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Yadav requested that the state be allowed to send at least 32,532 people on Haj, maintaining the quota of 2011.[caption id="attachment_351824" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Akhilesh Yadav. Reuters"][/caption]As per the nationwise quota allotted by Saudi Arabia, India sends the third largest contingent of Haj pilgrims, out of which a fourth go from Uttar Pradesh.Akhilesh in his letter, wrote, that in 2011, the number of pilgrims from the state was 32,532.This year the Haj Committee of India allocated a quota of 29,388 pilgrims, which is 3,144 less than last year, the chief minister said.Uttar Pradesh Haj Committee Chairman and Minority Welfare Minister Mohd. Azam Khan had written to Haj Committee of India Chairman Mohsina Kidwai on 7 May, requesting her to maintain last year's quota.The state has received 36,754 applications for the pilgrimage this year, he said.IANS