Govt plans to do away with Haj subsidy: Krishna

Kochi: Minister of External Affairs S M Krishna has suggested that the Union government is planning to do away with the subsidy given on Haj pilgrimage. Talking to reporters in Kochi on Monday, the External Affairs Minister said that a number of Muslim organizations had demanded the abolition of the subsidy.

Krishna said, "A large number of Muslim organisations have approached the Centre seeking abolition of the subsidy concept for Haj."

When asked if there are plans to provide similar package for Christian pilgrims going to the Holy Land, he said, "There have been second thoughts even with reference to

Krishna said a large number of Muslim organisations had approached the Centre seeking abolition of the subsidy.

Haj. Haj reforms are taking place and this aspect will also form part of the reforms."

"....We are eventually thinking of doing away with subsidy content," Krishna said.

At present each state annually allocates a Haj quota, and foots bills for the pilgrimage of a set number of haajis. The Supreme Court had in February, questioned the ethicality of providing such a subsidy for pilgrims from only one community.

(With Additional Inputs from PTI)

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