Mumbai: The chairmen of various state Haj committees of India and their representatives on Monday urged the Union Government to call global tenders of air carriers for transporting Haj pilgrims.
Besides the chairmen of state Haj committees and their representatives, Jammu and Kashmir Minister of Haj and Awkaf Farooq Indrabi and Karnataka Haj Committee Chairman Raushan Baig were also present for the meeting called for the review of the Haj 2018 Policy submitted to the government a fortnight ago.
Amid the Supreme Court directives and hurriedness shown by the government to abolish "the subsidy" in air tickets given to Haj pilgrims, the state Haj committees in one voice said calling global tender will result in much cheaper airfare than what is currently being charged to them.
Air India, India's national air carrier is as of now given the responsibility of transporting Haj pilgrim from India to Saudi Arabia.
It is alleged that the benefits of government's subsidy in air fare actually go to Air India as it already charge more than the market rate.
Air India fare for Haj Pilgrims
The Haj airfares range between Rs 80,000 and 90,000, depending on the point of embarkation. This year Haj Committee charged about 82,000 to Haj pilgrims from Aurangabad embarkation point. This airfare is almost double of what Air India normally charges.
According to market sources, airfares in the peak season is maximum Rs.45,000 -meaning there is a huge difference between the actual airfare with what Air India is charging.
Stakeholders say there are two reasons why Air India airfares are too high. One, the validity of Air India tickets is one year as against to 03 months of a normal ticket.
Second, the Haj Committee of India says, due to the arrangements and other offsite costs and for operating empty one-way flight.
During the review meeting of Haj Policy 2018, chairman and members of state Haj Committees also raised objections on the proposal to reduce number of embarkation points and cancellation of special quota for pilgrims in the age group of 70 and above.
They are informed during the meeting that the union government on the advice of Central Haj Committee of India has already decided to continue with the existing policy regarding these points.
"On the recommendation of Central Haj Committee, Govt. of India has agreed to continue the existing policy instead of accepting new recommendations", Parliamentarian Chowdhary Mahboob Ali Qaisar who was present in the meeting said.
More than 170,000 Muslims performed Haj in 2017 through Haj Committee of India and private tour operators.
The Haj Committee of India is expected to start registration of Haj pilgrims for the year 2018 by December end or January first week.
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