Passport rules eased for Haj pilgrims

KOZHIKODE: Kerala has been excluded from the directive of the Central Haj Committee that passport should be submitted along with the application for Haj pilgrimage, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty has said.“It is not practical in Kerala to follow this direction as passport is considered here as an identity proof and it is needed for trips to other foreign countries also. This prevents persons who are employed abroad from applying for Haj pilgrimage.“It is a tedious task to deliver these passports back to its owners safely. Kerala cited these reasons and the Centre approved it,” said Kunhalikutty.