Haj pilgrimage out of External Affairs Ministry's domain; Minority Affairs Ministry to take control

The management of Haj pilgrimage will now be done by the Minority Affairs Ministry instead of the External Affairs Ministry (EAM).

President Pranab Mukherjee has given assent to new rules in this regard.

The management of Haj pilgrimage, including administration of the Haj Committee Act, 1959 (51 of 1959) and the rules made thereunder will be under the Minority Affairs Ministry, the new rules issued by the Cabinet Secretariat said.

Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was looking after administration of the Haj Committee Act.

The MEA will be looking after pilgrimages to places outside India and the Indian Pilgrim Ships Rules, 1933, and pilgrim parties from India to shrines in Pakistan and vice versa excluding the administration of the Haj Committee Act, the new rules said.