Cabinet nods Hajj packages

The government will give opportunity to 10,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims to perform Hajj in 2015 with a cost of between Tk 300,000 and 350,000 (approximately) per person. Altogether 101,758 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj next year. The Cabinet on Monday approved the Hajj packages for 2015 at a regular meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Cabinet Secretary Muhammad Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told reporters after the meeting that there would be 2 government packages like last year. The 1st package will cost Tk 354,745 per person for the annual pilgrimage while the 2nd package will cost Tk 296,206 per person. The pilgrims would have to pay an extra 500 Saudi Riyal with each of the package and carry a maximum of US $ 1,000 while leaving for Hajj. The packages include flight fares, accommodation and other facilities. The cost difference between the two packages is because of differential house rents. Other than the 10,000 going on government packages, other devotees can go to perform Hajj through private packages offered by various Hajj agencies. The cabinet secretary said the lowest price for pilgrims going for Hajj availing private packages had been fixed at Tk 296,206, which is the cost of the second package approved on Monday. Registrations will be open for Hajj pilgrims from Jan 1 to Feb 5 next year upon payment of at least Tk 151,690. Pilgrims will get until June 10 to pay rest of the amount, according to bdnews24.com.