The Central government has formed a six-member committee to look into the Haj subsidy issue in light of a 2012 Supreme Court order on gradually reducing and abolishing subsidy given to pilgrims by 2022.
The Supreme Court had in 2012 directed the Union government to gradually reduce and abolish Haj subsidy by 2022.
It had asked the government to invest the subsidy amount of approximately Rs 650 crore a year then on educational and social development of the community.
The committee will look into whether giving subsidy has benefits or can pilgrims travel paying less if there no subsidy is offered.
The committee will engage all the stakeholders concerned before submitting its report.
Saudi Arabia had increased India’s annual Haj quota by 34,500 making India’s Haj quota 1,70,520.