From correspondents in India, 10:30 PM IST

About 7,208 people from Kerala were selected for this year's Haj pilgrimage through a draw of lots here Thursday.

The state Haj Committee, which provides subsidised travel for the pilgrims, had received 29,078 applications for the pilgrimage this year.

Haj Committee officials say expenses for the pilgrimage could go up this year due to the rise in aviation fuel prices and lodging expenses in Saudi Arabia.

Inaugurating the draw of lots here, Minister for Wakf and Haj Pilgrimage Paloli Mohammed Kutty demanded that the pilgrims' quota allotted to Kerala by the Central Haj Committee should be increased.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)