Rise in government subsidy for Haj pilgrims

New Delhi, May 9 (UNI) The Government's subsidy towards the Haj pilgrims going through the Central Haj Committee (CHC) to Mecca is witnessing a continuous rise for the past three years. The subsidy was Rs 160.70 crore in 2004 which went up to Rs 170.66 crores in 2005 and 280 crores in 2006.

The Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma in a written reply in the Lok Sabha said the Government has not imposed any tax on such pilgrimages. The Government of Saudi Arabia, China and Pakistan do not charge taxes from the pilgrims going for the above pilgrimages.

He said Government's permission is not required for Indian citizens to go abroad for religious pilgrimage. The Government is assisting pilgrimages for Haj to Saudi Arabia, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in China and pilgrimages to sikh Gurudwaras and Hindu Temples in Pakistan.

Mr Sharma said in case of Haj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia fixes an annual quota for pilgrims from different countries to perform Haj.

The persons going for Haj to Saudi Arabia through the CHC are provided a special document called the Pilgrim Pass (PP) in lieu of Passport which is valid for travelling to Saudi Arabia only for Haj; those who go to Saudi Arabia for Haj through private tour operators travel with regular passports.

He said the kailash Mansarovar Yatra in China is conducted on the basis of regular passports.

He said the pilgrimages to sikh Gurudwaras and Hindu temples in Pakistan are also performed on the basis of regular passports.

UNI