The Hindu : State to demand repeal of Centre's decision on Haj subsidy

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 12, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Others

State to demand repeal of Centre's decision on Haj subsidy

KONDOTTY, JAN. 11. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, today said that the State Government would demand the repeal of the Central Cabinet decision to cut down on subsidies extended for Haj .

Speaking at the Haj camp at the EMEA College near Karipur here, the Chief Minister observed that the Centre's decision to reduce Haj subsidies was a "deviation" from the traditional policy followed in the country. "This was a grave mistake. Kerala Government will take a strong stand against this," he said.

The Chief Minister assured the last batch of Haj pilgrims, who were leaving from the Karipur airport, that the Government would do its maximum to provide facilities for pilgrims leaving for Haj from the State. "Unfortunately, we are not able to provide all the facilities for Haj pilgrims. However, the Government will try to reduce the difficulties faced by the Haj pilgrims."

Mr. Antony also promised all Government help to the Haj house, the foundation stone-laying ceremony of which was inaugurated at EMEA College on Saturday. Terming the pilgrim who returned from the Haj as a person returning to "a new life", the Chief Minister observed that he\she would be devoid of any sin, committed in their life before leaving for the Haj.

Speaking on the occasion, E. Ahmed, MP, who is also a member of Central Haj Committee, said that the policy of providing subsidy for Haj pilgrims was started by the former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.

"When there was shortage of ships to transport Haj pilgrims, Mrs. Gandhi, terming the pilgrimage as an International Islamic conference, promised subsidy for air travel from India, which happens to have the second largest Muslim population in the world. The Haj subsidy began to grow as the number of Haj pilgrims from the country also increased over the years."

Mr. Ahmed said that the Centre's decision to take away Haj subsidy to IT payees and those staying with relatives during their stay at Saudi Arabia during Haj was unfortunate. It will cause difficulties as even Government servants will be coming under IT rules.

The Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, presided. The Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, the Education Minister, Nalakath Sooppy, Kozhikode district collector and executive officer, State Haj Committee (SHC), T.O.Sooraj, the Malappuram district collector, M. Sivasankar, and the chairman of the State Haj Committee, Prof Alikutty Musaliyar were among those who attended the function.

Mr. Thangal had laid the foundation stone for the Haj House to be set up at EMEA College campus near here on Saturday. Mr. Kunhalikutty said that the Haj House would be converted into a Haj Terminal.

Haj House is being constructed at Kumminiparamba in a two-acre land donated by EMEA College at an estimated cost of Rs.10 crores.

The vice-president of EMEA College, Panakkad Basheerali Shihab Thangal, handed over the documents of the land for building the Haj House to Prof. Musaliyar at the function.

Mr. Sooppy, Mr. Ahmed, the KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan, MP, Abdussamad Samadhani, MP, and the UDF convener, Oommen Chandy, were among those who spoke on the occasion.

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