The Cabinet on Monday approved the draft of the ‘Hajj Package 2013’ with two expenditure packages under government management taking into consideration the financial ability of pilgrims.

The total number of pilgrims this year will be 1,27,198, including 10,000 under government management.

The approval was given at the regular weekly meeting of the Cabinet held at Bangladesh Secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary M Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said the new hajj package fixed the maximum cost of Tk 3,47,027 for each pilgrim under package-1 while Tk 2,78,742 for each pilgrim under package-2.

In addition to the above expenditure, each pilgrim should have to carry minimum cash worth around 450 Saudi Real for animal sacrifice (Korbani), he added.

Musharraf said the pilgrims under package-1 will have to pay Tk 1,50,591 for housing and other necessary expenditures while pilgrims under package-2 will need Tk 83,790 for the same purpose.

The Cabinet Secretary said the cost for each hajj pilgrim under private management should not be less than the government packages.

The day’s meeting also approved the draft of the ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, Bangladesh Bill, 2013’.

Musharraf said the Cabinet also approved a proposal for amending the ‘Rules for the Administration of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, 1900’ for handing over the authority of Controlling Zoom Cultivation and Collection of Zoom Tax to Zila Parishad Chairmen from Deputy Commissioners.

The draft of the ‘National Information and Communication Technology Policy, 2013’ was also placed before the day’s meeting, but the Cabinet directed the authorities concerned to resubmit the policy after necessary changes.

Besides, three separate reports –- on the Home Minister’s visit to India, Malaysia and Italy -- were also placed before the Cabinet.

At the very beginning of the day’s meeting, the Cabinet adopted a condolence motion on the death of veteran politician and former Minister, and General Secretary of Awami League leader M Abdul Jalil.

The condolence resolution mentioned various aspects of the colourful political career of late Abdul Jalil as well as his contribution to country’s politics. “The country has lost a pro-people political personality at his death,” the condolence motion said.

Cabinet Members, advisers to the Prime Minister and State Minister concerned attended the meeting. The Cabinet secretary and secretaries concerned were also present.