Several Muslim organisations have announced to back the Centre's proposed move to abolish the subsidy on Haj, provided more facilities are given to pilgrims.
During his Kochi visit on April 2, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said the government is having "second thoughts" on continuing with the Haj subsidy, as a number of Muslim organisations have demanded its abolition.
A senior member of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Niyaz Farooqi told PTI that pilgrims do not get the benefits of the Haj subsidy provided by the Centre. "The subsidy in only beneficial to a particular airlines, therefore its withdrawal will make no difference."
The government should shift focus on providing better accommodation and food facility to the pilgrims, he said adding, "Despite the subsidy, pilgrims have to pay extra for the trip."
To hire planes for the Haj trips, the Civil Aviation Ministry had approved Rs 870 crore for 2010-11 and Rs 685 crore for 2011-12. For 2012-13, the ministry has proposed an expenditure of Rs 655 crore.
According to Muslim organisations, the rate at which tickets are provided to pilgrims are far higher than the amount being charged by some airlines to reach Saudi Arabia.
08/04/12 PTI/Outlook
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