Bhubaneswar:13/7/17: Chief Minister (CM) Naveen Patnaik today felicitated Haj pilgrims from the state who are set to go for Haj Pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia this year.

Patnaik wished a safe and smooth journey of 688 Haj pilgrims including 200 women. Stating that his government is committed for welfare of people belonging to minorities’ communities,

The CM also promised for construction of a Haj House will soon in the state capital. Land for the purpose has been selected, he said.

While the state government has been trying to have an embarkation point in the city airport, Patnaik said all arrangement have been made for the Haj pilgrims this time in Kolkata airport.

“The state government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the development of educational institutions meant for minority community children.

Apart from this, the government will construct 100 multi-purpose centres for Muslim people in next three years,” Patnaik said. Meanwhile, sources said the state Haj committee has selected 688 pilgrims, including over 200 women, from Odisha for annual Haj this year.

They were selected from among total 1,133 applicants, who evinced interest to go for Haj this year scheduled for September 2. Of the total pilgrims, 572 were selected through qurrah, a computerized lottery draw organised by the state Haj committee on its premises in Cuttack on Wednesday. 116 other people were selected directly according to the standing guidelines of the Haj committee.