Union Government forms committee to look into Haj subsidy issue

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has decided to set up a six-member committee to look into the Hajj subsidy issue.
The decision has been taken in light of a 2012 Supreme Court order on gradually reducing and abolishing subsidy given to pilgrims by 2022.

Key Facts

• The committee will figure out whether the pilgrims can travel to Saudi Arabia paying less in the absence of such subsidy.
• It will look into the subject whether giving subsidy has any benefits. It will engage all the stakeholders concerned before submitting its report.

What is the issue?

The Union Government gives Haj subsidy to Indian Muslim Hajj pilgrims in the form of airfare subsidy as well as assistance to pilgrims for domestic travel to reach specially designed haj departure airport terminals. In 2012, the Supreme Court had directed the Union Government to gradually reduce and abolish Haj subsidy by 2022. It had ordered government to invest the subsidy amount (approximately Rs 650 crore a year then) on educational and social development of the community.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2017