Date:12/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/12/stories/2008091255961300.htm

National

No change in air fare for Haj pilgrims

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Centre has decided not to increase the airfare of Haj passengers, allaying fears that the burden of increased aviation fuel cost will be passed on to the pilgrims also.

“The fare to be charged from the pilgrims for Haj 2008 will continue to be Rs.12,000 a pilgrim. There will be no increase,” Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said after the Cabinet meeting here on Thursday.

Medical officers

The government has also decided to appoint retired officials to the post of General Duty Medical Officers on contract basis to fill the vacancies in hospitals. This decision was taken at the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The appointment of former GDMOs, if their age does not exceed 65 years, would be made on contract basis for one year extendable by another year.