Haj application process goes digital, mobile app supports e-payments
- The Haj Committee of India app is now available to download on Google Play Store.
- It will let you apply online and make e-payments.
FollowIn the wake of demonetisation, Haj application goes digital. Union Minister of State for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has launched a Haj Committee of India mobile app that is now available to download on the Play Store.
Next Haj has already been announced and the applications will be accepted starting today. The last date for applications is 24 January. The mobile app will let pilgrims apply for Haj, enquire and also gets news and other related updates. One of the key features of the app is e-payments, which is said to be in line with the Digital India initiative. So you can apply and make payments directly from the app.
A group of seven including five adults and two infants can apply together. The app will then send a PDF copy of the form to the applicant's email id. The form will need the applicant to affix a photo and then re-send the printout with all documents to the State Haj committee. Applicants can pay the registration fees via the app.
Naqvi said that a new website of Haj was launched in New Delhi last month. It is available in Hindi, Urdu and English languages. The website is useful when applying for Haj online. It offers details regarding Ministry of Minority Affairs, Haj Department, Haj pilgrimage, rules and regulations on Haj, Haj Committee of India and private tour operators. It includes ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ during Haj pilgrimage and also a film informing about various aspects of the pilgrimage.
In 2016, about 45,843 people had applied for Haj online, which accounted for mere 11 percent of total applications received. 10,960 online applications came from Maharashtra, 9257 online applications from Kerala, 5407 from UP and 2983 from Telangana, among others. Now, efforts are being made to make the online process easy and simpler to give online application and digital payments a further push.
