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Did Haj Committee of India swallow Rs16.14 crore payable to pilgrims?

A PIL filed by NGO Khuddam-ul-Haj-O-Umrah states that an internal audit report for the year 2006-07 notes that HCI has saved Rs16.14 crore because of “variation in rates of Saudi Riyal”, which should have been returned to the pilgrims.

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The Haj Committee of India (HCI) will have to file a reply in a PIL taking exception to the findings in its internal audit report.

A PIL filed by NGO Khuddam-ul-Haj-O-Umrah states that an internal audit report for the year 2006-07 notes that HCI has saved Rs16.14 crore because of “variation in rates of Saudi Riyal”, which should have been returned to the pilgrims.

The petitioners had contended that an observation was made in the internal audit report that the money raised through applications filed by aspiring pilgrims that is unused should be returned to the pilgrims or a policy should be framed for its appropriate usage.

Sandeep Marne, advocate for the HCI, said the final audit in the case was conducted by the comptroller and auditor general which should be relied upon, and not the internal audit report of the HCI.

The petitioners had also contended that over Rs100 crore were deposited by HCI in Centurion Bank of Punjab, whereas as per its rules, money should have been deposited in a nationalised bank. Their advocate stated that every applicant is charged Rs200 at the time of filling the Haj pilgrims form and this money is not refunded to the lakh of people who are not selected through the lottery process.

Marne, however, told the court that the Rs200 is charged by the HCI as expenses towards conducting the lottery process. He added that the amount towards further expenses, Rs10,000, is refunded to those who are not selected through the lottery process.

Chief justice Anil Dave conceded that the committee would require some funds to conduct the lottery process. Marne also stated that the pilgrims are informedat the time of filling their application that this amount (Rs200) is non-refundable.

CJ Dave and justice SC Dharmadhikari asked the HCI to file an affidavit before the court and adjourned the case till April 26.

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