Hyderabad: Community elders and activists are of the view that the decision to abolish the Haj subsidy by the Centre will benefit the pilgrims if global tenders are invited bypassing the current monopoly of Air India. A subsidy in airfares is given to Hajj pilgrims by the Centre on the state owned Air India flights. Air India is entrusted with the task of arranging flights for the Haj.
A committee, headed by Afzal Amanullah, former secretary of the minority welfare unit, constituted by the Centre to prepare the draft Haj policy 2018 has suggested abolishing the subsidy for the Haj.
The policy also allows Muslim women above 45 years to go for the Haj under the mehram (unaccompanied by a male member). Mr S.A. Shukoor, special officer of the Telangana Haj committee, said that there was a misconception that the Centre has been providing the subsidy through the Haj committee. He said that several state Haj committees in the country have suggested floating global tenders, which will lead to competitive airfares.
He noted that Air India is accused of charging an exorbitant fair to deduct a 35 per cent subsidy.
Lion Aleem Baig, a city-based social activist, said global tenders will results in more benefits. As per the Supreme Court order, the Haj subsidy will end in 2022.
