Adopts new hajj package
UNB, Dhaka
The Cabinet at its regular meeting Monday brought some amendments to the National Hajj Policy and adopted a new hajj package to comply with new rules introduced by the Saudi government.
“The total cost of hajj will be Tk 2,20,550 per person under the new package,” PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told newsmen after the hour-long the meeting held at the PM Office with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
According to the new rules introduced by the Saudi government, the pilgrims must have international passports instead of ‘pilgrim passes’.
Besides, the size of each residence to be rented in Mecca will have to be of 4sqm instead of previous size of 3.5 meters, and in Madina it (size) has to be 5.5sqm instead of previous 4.5sqm in addition to renting 1 percent additional residences, Azad said.
He said every pilgrim will also have to show a bank guarantee of 50 Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) and transports will have to be arranged by the pilgrims themselves if they stay one kilometer away from the Harem Sharif.
Besides, the Cabinet meeting the Ethnic Groups’ Cultural Institutions Act ‘2009 and Fisheries and Hatcheries Act’ 2009. About the Ethnic Groups’ Cultural Institutions Act’ 2009, Azad said it will help preserve the distinct characteristics and institutions of the indigenous communities.
Their (indigenous people’s) institutions, if necessary, will be considered statutory agencies and these will have the ownership of their moveable and immovable property under the act, he said.
The law will also help bring the indigenous culture into the mainstream of Bangladesh culture apart from ensuring the participation of indigenous artists in all state functions.
The Fisheries and Hatchery Act, Azad said, has been approved to ensure the quality of fish and shrimp fry and hatcheries. The act also includes a provision of punishment for the hatchery owners if they fail to maintain quality as described in the act.
Courtesy of The Bangladesh Today
