Leh, May 18: Chairman of the Haj Committee Ladakh, Haji Mohd Ali Majaz, met Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, during his visit to Leh, urging immediate action on several pressing issues concerning the people of Ladakh, particularly from Kargil district.
During the meeting, Haji Majaz reiterated the long-pending demand for the swift operationalisation of the sanctioned Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Kargil. He highlighted the hardships faced by residents who are currently compelled to undertake long and costly journeys to either Srinagar or Leh to access basic passport services. “The people of Kargil have waited long enough. The PSK must be made functional without further delay,” Majaz said.
He was accompanied by Adv. Tashi Gyalson, Chairman/CEC of LAHDC Leh, and Mohd Ali Chandan, Member of the Haj Committee Ladakh and President, BJP Kargil. The delegation presented a formal memorandum on behalf of the people of Kargil, pressing for urgent redressal of passport and other minority welfare issues.
The leaders also discussed broader concerns related to minority welfare and infrastructure development, especially in the remote and underserved blocks of the Union Territory.
Expressing gratitude, Haji Majaz thanked Union Minister Rijiju for the recent arrangement of a special flight that successfully airlifted stranded Haj pilgrims from Srinagar to Jeddah earlier this month — a move that brought significant relief to families across Ladakh.
Yesterday during the meeting, Majaz raised alarm over six pending Haj charter flights from Srinagar, leaving 1,926 pilgrims from the neighbouring Jammu & Kashmir UT stranded. He appealed for an immediate intervention to facilitate a dedicated aircraft to complete the remaining pilgrim transfers by May 20, 2025.
“These pilgrims — mostly elderly and financially constrained — have been under immense emotional and physical stress. Many of them have waited years for this sacred journey,” said Majaz while handing over a detailed memorandum to the Minister.
In response, Kiren Rijiju assured the delegation of his full support. He emphasized that the welfare of Haj pilgrims and equitable access to services in border regions remain top priorities for the Government of India. He pledged to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Haj Committee of India, and concerned airlines to ensure timely resolution.
The delegation expressed confidence in the Union Minister’s assurances and stated that his intervention will bring tangible relief to thousands of Ladakhi residents while reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive development across the Union Territory.
