9Duties of Committee

(1) The duties of the Committee shall be--

(i) to collect and disseminate information useful to pilgrims, and to arrange orientation and training programmes for pilgrims;

(ii) to advise and assist pilgrims during their stay at the embarkation points in India, while proceeding to or returning from pilgrimage, in all matters including vaccination, inoculation, medical inspection, issue of pilgrim passes and foreign exchange, and to liaise with the local authorities concerned in such matters;

(iii) to give relief to pilgrims in distress;

(iv) to finalise the annual Haj plan with the approval of the Central Government, and execute the plan, including the arrangements for travel by air or any other means, and to advise in matters relating to accommodations;

(v) to approve the budget estimates of the Committee and submit it to the Central Government at least three months before the beginning of the financial year for its concurrence;

(vi) to co-ordinate with the Central Government, railways, airways and travel agencies for the purpose of securing travelling facilities for pilgrims;

(vii) to generally look after the welfare of the pilgrims;

(viii) to publish such proceedings of the Committee and such matters of interest to pilgrims as may be determined by bye-laws made in this behalf by the Committee;

(ix) to discharge such other duties in connection with Haj as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

(2) The Central Government shall afford all reasonable assistance to the Committee in the discharge of the duties specified in sub-section (1).