Malappuram: Though it sounded like a freebie for pilgrims, in reality, the money given as Haj subsidy went to airline coffers.
Haj subsidy can best be described as government’s generosity to airline companies that charge a bomb for the pilgrim season. For years, Air India has been the sole beneficiary of this government largesse. When Saudia was co-opted to curtail the excess rates charged by Air India, the Saudi airline too started getting the subsidy amount.
Sea travel is a cheaper option for Haj pilgrims. But, India stopped the ship service in 1974. So, to compensate for the loss of a cheaper travel facility, it was decided to provide a part of the airfare to the pilgrims by the Indira Gandhi government in 1974.
For the previous year, the airfare fixed by airlines on the Kochi-Jeddah-Kochi route during the Haj season was Rs 72,812. If the airport fee and taxes are included, the total amount will come to Rs 76,372. Out of this the subsidy amount was just Rs 10,750. The remaining amount of Rs 65,622 was borne by each pilgrim.
Since the normal airfare on the Kochi-Jeddah-Kochi is around Rs 32,000, the pilgrims had to pay double the amount for their travel from their pocket. Moreover, apart from this inflated fare, the airlines also received the subsidy from the government.
Despite paying six times more than the government subsidy for airfare, pilgrims complain that they are made to feel as if they are traveling for free. It is pointed out that if the subsidy is scrapped and a competitive global tender is floated, the pilgrims need to pay only half of what they are paying now. Besides, they can get rid of the ridicule they face in the name of subsidy.
4 ways to ease up Haj travel
1. Price cap: Once the subsidy is stopped, pilgrims demand that measures to curb airfare should be put in place. Besides, there should be a mechanism to stop airlines from inflating their fares during the pilgrim season.
2. Global tender for Haj service: Only Indian and Saudi Arabian companies can bid for the tender now. If a global tender is floated, the rates would come down sharply.
3. Ship service: Since it offers a cheaper travel option, the government should resume the ship service. The Center has already taken a decision in this regard.
4. Avoid empty seats: During one leg of the journey, the plane flies empty. To avoid this, the flights should carry regular passengers.
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