Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Thursday felicitated Haj pilgrims from Orissa who are set to go for Haj Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia this year. Patnaik wished a safe and smooth journey for 688 Haj pilgrims including 200 women. Stating that his government is committed to welfare of minority communities, Patnaik said a Haj House will soon be constructed in the state capital.
Land for the purpose has been selected. While the state government has been trying to have an embarkation point in the city airport, Patnaik said all arrangements have been made for the Haj pilgrims this time in Kolkata airport.
“The state government has sanctioned `5crore for the development of educational institutions meant for minority community children. This apart, the government will construct 100 multi-purpose centres for Muslims in next three years,” Patnaik said.
Notably, the construction of the Haj House has already been delayed. Expressing its concern over delay in establishment of this facility, the General Administration department had asked the State Haj Committee to take up the work. For construction of the State Haj house, a land admeasuring 0.086acre was allotted to the committee in 2007 in Jagamara, which was required to be constructed within 36 months from the date of execution of lease deed –which was October 16, 2007.
However, no construction work has been taken up yet, keeping the plot vacant. This has led to issues of encroachment.
Press Trust of India