Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jun 26: Dakshina Kannada district Haj Committee has expressed resentment at the abnormal hike in Haj pilgrimage charges affected by the central government, duly recollecting that the government had said that it would withdraw subsidy being given to Haj pilgrims with effect from this year.
"The pilgrimage charges are being increased every year, and the government charges are almost near the rates charged by private tour operators. The private operators provide food, lodging etc. The government rate for pilgrims this year has been kept at 2, 64,450 for green, and Rs 2, 29,250 for Azizia class. As compared to five years back, this increase amounts to Rs 80 to 90,000 per pilgrim," the committee stated.
Haj pilgrims from Mangaluru - File photo of 2017
The committee also claimed that during 2016, Haj pilgrims were charged Rs 2,19,450 for green class and Rs 1,85,550 for Azizia class. It was increased in 2017 by about Rs 20,000 per head, and again by about 25,000 this year. During the last two years, the increase amounts to Rs 45,000, which is a systematic robbery of the pilgrims, it stated.
The committee noted that the government is not doing anything other than arranging stay for 40 days for pilgrims at Mecca and Madina, making visa arrangements, and air tickets. It says that as per the current rate, the first class might not cost more than Rs 1,20,000 and Azizia Rs 95,000, as food and local visit charges are met by pilgrims.
The committee says that the central government has been referring to dwindling value of Indian currency in the international market and rising exchange rate of Saudi Riyal, to justify the hike. "Till last year, the government used to return Rs 2,100 Saudi Riyals to pilgrims at the airport, and this practice might be continued this time too," it stated.
Dakshina Kannada district Wakf Committee member, Rashid Vitla, has wondered about what does the central government do with over a lac of rupees it collects in excess from each of these pilgrims.