New Delhi: The government is striving to
reduce Haj subsidy, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said
today.
While replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Krishna
said in 2009, government has taken a decision to increase the
air fare for pilgrims going through Haj Committee from Rs
12,000 to Rs 16,000 per person.
According to reports, in 2007 the Haj subsidy paid by
the government was Rs 5.95 billion, and for 2008 it was Rs 7
billion.
On whether government has received complaints of
corruption in the Haj arrangements, Krishna replied in the
negative.
However, in the past, some complaints were received
mainly regarding pilgrims not getting desired category of
accommodation, inadequate facilities at the place of stay,
problems of local transportation, he said.
The improvement in the Haj management is a continuous
exercise for which the government regularly reviews previous
arrangements, he said.
-PTI
First Published: Wednesday, May 05, 2010, 21:53