Minister urges Centre to continue travel subsidy to Hajis

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 27 (UNI) Kerala Local Self Government Minister Paloli Mohamed Kutty, who is also in-charge of Waqf and Haj Pilgrimage, has urged the Centre to take necessary steps immediatly to continue the travel subsidy to Haj Pilgrims from the country.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had directed to discontinue the Haj subsidy recently.

Mr Kutty yesterday said the subsidy was provided in view of the huge expenses of the Haj pilgrimage.

Though objections and interventions had come from several corners against the facility of minorities, the government then had taken a favourable stand and retained the facility, a release said here.

The Centre should file appeal in the Supreme Court against the verdict immediately, he said.

Urging the Centre to take immediate steps to protect the facilities and to clear doubts of Hajis in this regard, he said along with legal procedures necessary steps should also be taken to reduce the flight fares.

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