Despite scrapping of subsidy, no drop in Haj pilgrims from state

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, July 15

Despite the end of the Haj subsidy this year, the number of pilgrims from Punjab has increased, though slightly. A batch of 290 pilgrims from Punjab will leave for pilgrimage from New Delhi on Monday. Last year, this figure was 283.

Sources said till last year, the pilgrims were getting a subsidy of 15 per cent of the total expense. However, the Union Government announced to withdraw the subsidy this year in January.

As per the Punjab State Haj Committee (PSHC), the expense on pilgrimage has been increasing every year. Three years ago. it cost around Rs 1.95 lakh to each pilgrim, which increased to Rs 2.03 lakh two years back and last year, the pilgrimage cost Rs 2.25 lakh.

“This year, the expense of each pilgrim will surpass the last year’s figure of Rs 2.25 lakh as the Union Government has ended the 15 per cent subsidy. The cost is increasing every year but instead of increasing the subsidy, the Union Government ended it without any valid reason this year. Though the number has increased slightly, many have withdrawn their plan due to the lack of subsidy,” claimed Abdul Rashid Khilzi, PSHC chairman.

Pilgrims stay for 40 days in Saudi Arabia during the pilgrimage.

“Though a 15-per cent subsidy does not matter to the rich, for the middle class and poor families, it matters a lot. I and many others have withdrawn out pilgrimage plan after the end of subsidy,” said Mohd Asim from Malerkotla. All 290 pilgrims left Malerkotla for New Delhi on Saturday.