Chennai, June 9 (BPNS)

The opposition AIADMK wants the state government to provide Rs 1500 more for each Haj pilgrim for their stay and other expenses in Kochi from where they are embarking on Haj pilgrimage.

Party leader and former Chief Minister, Edappadi K. Palaniswami in a statement on Thursday said that the state government should have put pressure on the Union government for Haj embarking points at Chennai and Tiruchi for Haj pilgrims. At present Kochi in Kerala is the Haj embarking point for pilgrims from Tamil Nadu. The former Chief Minister said that only 1750 pilgrims from the state were granted permission for the Haj pilgrimage.

Palaniswami said that in 2020 when AIADMK government was in power, the number of pilgrims sanctioned was nearly 3000. The former Chief Minister lashed out at the DMK government and said that the neighbouring states of Kerala and Karnataka were able to get a higher proportion of Haj pilgrims cleared by the Central government.

Edappadi K. Palaniswami also demanded the state government to immediately release the Haj grant of Rs 10 crore without any further delay.

The state opposition leader also called upon the Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin to intervene and ensure the restoration of the earlier position on the number of Haj pilgrims.