Srinagar, Apr 25:  All the State level Hajj & Umrah Tour Operators’ Associations shall function under “one banner and one roof.” This was resolved at a meeting of All J&K Hajj & Umrah Tour Operators’ Association held on April 22. Nissar Ahmad Wani presided over the meeting.
 The meeting was informed that an association of private tour operators stood already constituted at national level under the orders of Ministry of External Affairs, government of India.
 The members said joining together was the need of hour for promoting the business community, a spokesman of the association in a statement said.
 It was resolved that all the applications for Hajj quota allotment and its subsequent distribution among the concerned tour and travel companies will be handled by the newly formed National Association of Private Tour Operators.
 The participants stressed the need for the associations to join together in order to achieve the desired goal. The meeting resolved that a four-member working committee will be nominated which will keep close liaison with the Ministry of External Affairs and the National Association respectively in this regard.
 The members expressed anguish and concern over the booking being made for Hajj 2012. “When the Government of India has yet to get the Hajj quota for 2012 how come the private tour operators make bookings for it,” the meeting said, adding that such practice was unlawful and unethical and also against the norms fixed by the Ministry of External Affairs.
 While stressing the need for educating common masses about this practice, the members resolved that any Tour Operator found indulging in such practice in future will be brought under the purview of law.
 The meeting also stressed need for providing satisfactory services to the pilgrims for Hajj 2011 by the Haii & Umrah service companies.
 The meeting was attended by leading tour operators of the Valley. However, it was noted that out of total 26 Tour Travel Companies only 18 members were present. 

Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST