China 'illegally' claims Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet

New Delhi: China "illegally" refers to Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet and claims around 90,000 sq km of Indian territory there, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"China disputes the international boundary between India and China in the eastern sector and claims approximately 90,000 sq km of Indian territory in the state of Arunachal Pradesh," Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said in written reply.

"China illegally refers to Arunachal Pradesh as 'Southern Tibet'," he said. The Minister said China has been told that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of India.

To another query, Ahamed said 77 passport sewa kendra's have been made operational in the country.

He said the Government was now carrying out a feasibility study to expand the network of passport delivery mechanism by means of additional PSKs in various states.

To a query on Haj subsidy, he said after a Supreme Court order, the discretionary quota has been curtailed to 500 seats - 200 seats for Haj Committee of India and 300 for recommendations of dignitaries.

As per the new order, the President has quota of 100 seats, Vice President and Prime Minister 75 each and External Affairs Minister 50 for Haj pilgrimage.