KCR requests Centre to raise quota of Haj pilgrims from T'gana

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao today requested the Centre to increase the quota of Haj pilgrims from the state, saying at least 4,500 should be allowed as more than 17,000 have applied. He has written a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj with the request, a release from his office said. Noting that there are 44.74 lakh Muslims in Telangana, Rao said only a quota comprising 2,532 has been allocated though more than 17,000 have applied. At least 4,500 should be allowed for Haj pilgrimage from Telangana, it added. Last year, about 1.5 lakh Indians took part in the annual Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.