Panel wants pvt flights for Hajis

Mumbai: The Haj Committee of India, the nodal agency for arranging tour of around one lakh Hajis to Saudi Arabia, has asked the government for the right to choose private airlines for ferrying Haj pilgrims.
The decision was taken in light of the Allahabad High Court order banning Haj subsidy, which caused confusion among prospective pilgrims.
On Tuesday, the Haj Committee, which met at the Haj House in Mumbai, resolved that they should be allowed to engage private airlines, instead of Air India, for arranging travel of Hajis to Mecca.
Every Haji pays Rs 12,000 towards airfare while government subsidises the remaining amount. However, all the Hajis undertaking the journey to Saudi Arabia have to fly by the government carriers, Air India or Indian Airlines.
Last week the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court directed the state government and Centre to ban subsidies to pilgrims in reply to a PIL filed by a Shiv Sena member in Uttar Pradesh.
31/08/06 Mohammed Wajihuddin & Manju V/Times of India

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