New Delhi: The Kerala State Haj Committee is set to question the Center's move to scrap the Haj subsidy and the proposals being considered for a new Haj policy in the Supreme Court. The committee has sought legal advice in this regard.
Though the Supreme Court had sought the gradual removal of Haj subsidy by 2022, the minister for minority affairs had made it clear that the subsidy will be stopped from the next year.
According to legal sources, the subsidy provided to Haj pilgrims are not in the nature of handouts but to ensure fair airfare. Basically, the subsidy ensures that pilgrims get airfare that is charged during off-peak seasons of airlines.
If the subsidy is being stopped, the government should be able to ensure that pilgrims get an airfare that is reasonable. And, the committee can approach the apex court in this regard, say legal experts.
Haj pilgrims have to shell out one-and-a-half times more than off-peak rates. At present, those who haven't got a chance even in three draws of lot, get to undertake Haj the next time without the need to take part in a draw of lot. Besides, those over the age of 70 also need not try their luck in a draw of lot. The new proposals do not have any of these rules.
The committee feels that the new proposals in fact upend the current policies. The committee also plans to request the apex court to ensure that the quota for each state should be based on the number of pilgrims because many states do not utilize their quota fully. It will also question the move to reduce the number of embarkation points from 21 to 9 airports.
The Center's Haj policy has been drafted by a panel headed by former secretary Afzal Amanullah in the wake of the 2012 Supreme Court order asking the government to abolish the Haj subsidy gradually by 2022. It also proposes allowing women aged above 45 to undertake journey without male Mehram in a group of four.