Air India set to lose Haj monopoly

With the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) approving a series of steps to initiate reforms in Haj operations and hand over greater power to the National Haj Committee, the annual pilgrimage is expected to see some drastic changes. As per the proposals, Air India will no longer have the monopoly in handling Haj flights as the panel will be empowered to call for tenders from airlines and select the best deal as they wish. The Ministry of External Affairs is likely to move a Cabinet note in this regard.
Instead of the MEA managing accommodation for Hajis in Saudi Arabia, the Committee will be able to enter into long-term lease agreements with accommodation providers. It is also suggested that those making the pilgrimage on personal expense be charged a little extra and given premium services to help cross-subsidise the government funded Hajis.
The move comes a year after several Muslim MPs took up the issue with Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan and others advocating that the Malaysian model of Tabung Haji be replicated in India. There have also been complaints against Air India’s poor service, often forcing Hajis to stay on in Saudi Arabia longer than necessary to accommodate their flight schedules. The pilgrims have also targetted the MEA for its arrangements.
13/08/09 Anubhuti Vishnoi/Indian Express

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Categories: Foreign Aug 2009, NACIL Aug 2009