Supreme Court directed Union Government of India to do away with the Haj Subsidy

The Supreme Court of India on 8 May 2012 directed the Union Government to eliminate the Haj subsidy completely by reducing it gradually over the next ten years. The court further ruled that the amount of Haj subsidy should be used for the uplift of the community.

A Supreme Court bench of Justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai observed that the Haj subsidy is provided by the government is continuously increasing given the rising air fare and pilgrims. Though agree to the fact that subsidy is constitutionally valid, the court did not find any rationalization in charging the pilgrims a much lesser price.The Apex Court also instructed the government to end the practice of sending a goodwill Haj delegation.

What is Haj Subsidy?

The Haj subsidy is a subsidy provided to Indian Muslim Hajj pilgrims by the Union Government of India through a heavy concession in airfare. Pilgrims who apply through the Haj Committee of India are entitled to the reduced fare. The Government of India reimburses the subsidy to Air India.