Srinagar, April 16 -- Saudi Arabia's decision to slash the Hajj quota has dealt a severe blow to private Hajj service providers in the Kashmir Valley.

Centre on Tuesday said the Combined Hajj Group Operators (CHGOs) had failed to comply with the necessary timelines set by the Saudi authorities despite reminders. Following intervention by the Centre, the Saudi Hajj Ministry has agreed to re-open the Haj Portal for the CHGOs to complete their work in respect of 10,000 pilgrims based on the current space availability in Mina.

This slash in India's private Hajj quota is leaving over 52,000 pilgrims countrywide in lurch.

Umar Nazir Tibetbaqal, General Secretary of the All Jammu and Kashmir Hajj Umrah Tour Operators Association, said the sud...