The Shoura Council has approved a 25-year Ministry of Haj plan to cope with the increase of pilgrims covering transport and accommodation in the Kingdom, and moves to bring Umrah pilgrims under a unified administration. Al-Sharq Al-Awsat Arabic daily reported Monday that the moves would also see a reduction in areas allotted to government agencies in Mina and a more equal distribution of services in Mina tent camps regardless of classification. Further proposals included a name change to create a Haj and Umrah Ministry, as well as increased powers to the Control and Investigation Board permitting it to question officials and employees failing to abide by government regulations. The Shoura Council also called for greater urgency in setting up the National Commission to Combat Corruption.
