The bench said if any such petition by any pilgrim or The bench said if any such petition by any pilgrim or private tour operator is filed in any high court, it will have to be transferred to the apex court. The bench also appointed advocate Huzefa Ahmadi and Ijaz Maqbool as amicus curaie to assist the court in examining the functioning of HCOI and Haj Committees of states. The bench passed the order after going through an affidavit filed by the government in compliance with the court\'s May 8 direction. The court had on May 8 asked the government to furnish details on how its discretionary quota seats for Haj pilgrims are allocated to applicants on recommendation by dignitaries and eminent persons. It had passed the order saying "we have some initial reservations on allocation of seats on recommendation by dignitaries and eminent persons". In its affidavit, the government gave the break up for allocation of seats for Haj Pilgrims for this year stating that out of the 11000, it has reserved 300 seats for Khadim-ul-Hujjar (KuH), i.e Muslim government officers/State Haj Committees/Wakf Board Officials etc. Further, it said 400 seats reserved for Mehrams (close male relatives of a lady pilgrim selected in the "Qurrah", i.e by draw of lots. The affidavit said 1500 seats have reserved for Jammu and Kashmir and 250 seats for Lakshadweep under government quota and 500 seats have been retained for smaller states and union territories. It said 2500 seats are reserved for states and UTs with application in excess of the allocated quota.
from
IANS
India, US in talks to prepare for PM visit
India and the US are in discussions to plan for PM Manmohan Singh's visit to America in the "near future".
from PTI
K'tka CM inducts S R Patil into ministry
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah today expanded his council of ministers by inducting S R Patil, a former leader of opposition.
from IBNLive
'Lee was due to come home this weekend'
The family of the British soldier who was beheaded by two armed men outside a military barrack in Woolwich in London have expressed their sorrow and grief.
from
PTI
Dutt's third stint in Yerawada jail
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has started his 42-month sentence at Pune's Yerawada Central Jail.
from
IANS
The severe heat wave conditions in Andhra Pradesh have so claimed 84 lives from April 1, officials said.
from
PTI
US imparting training to Ind students: Pallam
Some prominent US educational institutions are imparting industrial training to students in India claims HRD Minister M Pallam Raju.
from
In.com
UK soldier beheading: Known facts
Here's a look at the key known facts about the Wednesday attack in south London, when two men hacked another to death near military barracks
