Mangaluru: The decision of the Union Government to scrap the Haj subsidy and divert it to welfare of Muslim women and education of girls is a positive move, said State minister for Food and Civil Supplies UT Khader.
Speaking at a press meet organized at Circuit House here on January 17, Khader said that it was only the Air India that benefited from the subsidy and not the pilgrims. “Hence doing away with the same essentially would cause no inconvenience to the pilgrims. The withdrawal of the subsidy had been ordered by Supreme Court in 2012, and each year a 10 per cent withdrawal in the subsidy was being done,” said Khader adding that the move also will enable the pilgrims to opt for an airlines of their choice as earlier those coming under the subsidy could only travel by Air India.
“This, in effect will enhance the competition in the aviation industry and will lead to reduced air fares,” he said
Khader also said that his ministry Food and Civil Supplies has won best performance ministry award by the Union government and this was possible because of the support of CM and the staffs in the department.
