Question : Haj Subsidy

(a) the total Haj Subsidy being offered to Haj pilgrims;

(b) the total amount one pilgrim has to deposit for Haj pilgrimage;

(c) whether the Government is considering to scrap the subsidy given to Haj pilgrims and revise the guidelines in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the proposal floated, if any, to cut the subsidy by 10 percent every year;

(e) whether representations have been received in the Ministry in this regard; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS
(SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a) & (b) The responsibility for making air travel arrangements for Haj pilgrims identified by the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) is with Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). The pilgrims deposit a fixed amount decided on year to year basis towards airfare to HCoI and the balance fare payable to the Airlines is paid by MoCA as subsidy to facilitate the Haj pilgrims. The subsidy given by the Government during last three years and current year and the amount deposited to HCoI by each pilgrim towards airfare is as under:

Year Total subsidy including Amount deposited to HCoI by
service tax (Rs. In crore) each pilgrim towards airfare (in Rs.)
2013 680.03 28,000
2014 577.07 35,000
2015 529.51 42,000
2016 405.00 (approx) 45,000


The total amount charged from each Pilgrim varies depending on the category of accommodation and the amount of airport charges for the embarkation point plus the fixed amount deposited towards airfare. For Haj 2016, the total amount for Azizia category was Rs.1,85,000/- (approx.) and for Green Category was Rs.2,19,000/- (approx.).

(c) to (f) As per directions of the Supreme Court to progressively reduce Haj subsidy so as to completely eliminate it within a period of 10 years, Haj subsidy has been gradually reduced from Rs.836.56 crore in 2012-13 to Rs. 405 crore (approx) in the year 2016-17 and various aspects linked to it are determined and implemented. Representations on various aspects of Haj including Haj subsidy are received in the Ministry from time to time, which are considered as per existing Policy of the Government.

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