Bill placed in JS to deal with irregularities in Hajj, Umrah sector

The Hajj and Umrah Management Bill 2021 was placed in Parliament on Sunday to deal with irregularities and mismanagement in the sector.

State Minister for Religious Affairs Ministry Md Faridul Haque Khan placed the bill and it was sent to the respective Standing Committee for further scrutiny. The committee was asked to submit its report within 40 days.

It was seen that when the government makes a move against any hajj agency, it brings a stay order from the High Court challenging the action. So, a legal structure is needed to deal with hajj management. Without having registration under the proposed law, no one will be able to deal with Haji pilgrims and the registration authority can take action against irregularities.

According to the bill, the registration of any Hajj and Umrah agency can be canceled for anomalies.

Also, a Hajj agency can be slapped with a fine of maximum Tk 50 lakh, while an Umrah agency with Tk 15 lakh for irregularities. If any agency gets warnings for two years in a row, its registration will automatically be suspended for the same period. Lawsuits can be filed against criminal offences committed in the Hajj and Umrah management.

After the enactment of the new law, if a Bangladeshi gets involved in Hajj-related irregularities even in Saudi Arabia, it can be treated that it happened in Bangladesh and legal steps including criminal and administrative actions can be taken.