Srinagar, Apr 21: In what would give a major relief to the Hajj aspirants of Kashmir, a representative body of Valley-based Hajj/Umrah Operating Companies today resolved that companies failing to deliver after bookings were made would be forced to pay penalty to their customers.
 Chairman, J&K Association for Hajj Umrah Companies, Abdul Rashid Mir, according to its spokesperson, said a company would have to pay double the amount of the package to its customer in case it failed to take him/her on the 2011 Hajj pilgrimage after the booking was made.
 He said the decision was taken to spare the aspirants from inconvenience they faced in case the company with whom they booked, expressed its inability to deliver at the eleventh hour.
 The association resolved that it would ensure that the aspirant/customer got the penalty.  Besides, the association took some more decision “to make the holy journey smooth and trouble-free.”
 The chairman at a meeting of the association, which has on its board 16 major Valley-based Hajj and Umrah Operating Companies, said once the booking was made, it was incumbent on the operator to deliver. “A company cannot make excuses, genuine or otherwise, after making the booking and tell its customer that it cannot take him/her on the pilgrimage.”
 In case of Umrah-2011, the association resolved that it would check for itself whether the companies had ensured good arrangements and facilities as promised to the pilgrims.
 The meeting also decided to set a Hotline where the aspirants/customers/pilgrims can register their complaints against any company in case of any deficiency in service, etc.
 Meanwhile, the chairman expressed satisfaction over organising of the Hall/Umrah-2010 by the private companies here.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST