193 hajj agencies punished for irregularities

This October 28, 2013 photo shows a group of Hajj pilgrims waiting at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Photo: Star

The government has taken action against 193 hajj agencies for its irregularities in sending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Of the agencies, the government has cancelled licences and security money of eight agencies, Jahangir Alam, deputy secretary (hajj) of the religious affairs ministry told The Daily Star.

The licences of 25 other agencies have also been suspended as part of the punishment; he said adding that around 60 agencies will be unable to send hajj pilgrims this year.

The actions have been taken based on the findings of a committee formed to probe into the allegation against the hajj agencies found those guilty last January, Chowdhury M Babul Hasan, secretary of the ministry told the reporters.

Then, the committee summoned 193 agencies to appear for hearing held from February 4 to 6 this year, he said.

Meanwhile, the Saudi hajj ministry imposed restrictions on 46 Bangladeshi agencies to send pilgrims allegedly for their offences including human trafficking in the name of sending hajj pilgrims.