MALAPPURAM: Inviting global tender for taking the Haj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will help reduce the cost of the pilgrimage in a big way and stop the subsidy provided by the central government, said Haj minister Dr. K.T. Jaleel here on Thursday. The public opinion favouring the withdrawal of the subsidy within the community has also gained momentum and the demand has already been submitted to union government, he said.
The subsidy for the pilgrims selected by the state Haj Committes is being given to state carrier Air India for the Haj services which doesn’t benefit the pilgrims directly and acts as a bailout package for the company. The practice of sharing Haj services between the Air India and the Saudi Airlines should be stopped and global tender invited to woo other airline companies who are ready to take up the service at lower cost, Jaleel said.
“Allowing small aircrafts for the Haj services would also support the demand of restoring the Haj embarkation point in Calicut International Airport in Karipur,” Jaleel said. Many companies including foreign ones have expressed interests in this services but the centre has not heeded to the demand so far. The new Chairman for the state Haj Committee will be selected soon in the wake of the demise of the Kottumala Bapu Musliyar, the minister said.
