Haj Division of the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has invited suggestions for review of Haj policy 2013-17 and framework for new Haj policy 2018-22.
The decision came in compliance of the Supreme Court that ordered in 2012 the Union Government to gradually reduce and later abolish the Haj subsidy by 2022.
Notably, the Muslim Community has long been demanding to scrap the Haj subsidy provided in the form of discounted air fares on flights operated by the national carrier and to invite global tendering for airlines operator.
With a view to encourage all sections of people to contribute their ideas to bring about improvements in arrangements for Haj Pilgrimage, the Committee has invited comments and suggestions on the problems and challenges experienced in the existing policies and the improvements that can be incorporated In the future Haj Policy.
All India Muslim Personal law Board member Arif Masood while replying over the feasibility of the Haj subsidy said, “We welcome Government as for long there is a demand for an open and transparent global tender. It would make Haj feasible for many more people.
Subsidy in the present terms by government should be stopped.”
Madhya Pradesh BJP Minority Cell president Sannawwar Patel while talking to The Pioneer over the issue said, “The question of subsidy is not relevant now because most of it has been scarped in compliance of the Supreme Court order that came in 2012 telling Government of India to gradually scrap the Haj subsidy.
Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman Sajid Qureshi said that the apex court has rightly asked the centre to scrap the Haj subsidy as it is also against the Islamic ethos. “The Government should also accept another demand of the community and that is of calling of global tenders for airlines so that the burden of pilgrims could reduce,” he added.
However, Government of India has constituted a five member committee under the chairmanship of former Secretary – Government of India and former CGI Jeddah Afzal Amanullah to review Haj policies for further improvements in Haj management for the period of 2018-22.
Former judge of High Court Justice SS Parkar, former IRS officer and for Chairman of Haj Committee of India (HCI) Qaiser Shamim, Noted Chartered Accountant and Muslim Scholar Kama Faruqui and IAS Joint Secretary (Haj) in the Ministry of Minority Affairs J Alam are other members of the Committee.