New Delhi : A decision by the Haj Committee, which functions under the Minority Affairs Ministry, to raise the Haj airfare by Rs 10,000 amid a sharp rise in ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) prices due to the Iran conflict has sparked outrage among pilgrims and invited demands from the opposition for a rollback. The airfare increase, however, has not gone down well with the pilgrims. The opposition, too, has lent its weight behind them, calling the increase an “injustice”.
This is despite collecting Rs 90,844 per pilgrim a couple of months ago, departing from Mumbai Embarkation Point. This is almost double the prevalent rates for individual travellers, Owaisi tweeted. Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi questioned the need for the government to hike the airfare right before the Haj pilgrimage. “When the full fare was already fixed in advance, why was this increase imposed at the very last moment?” Pratapgarhi said.
As the row escalated, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stepped in to clarify the government’s move. Rijiju said airlines had initially demanded $300-$400 extra per pilgrim due to the spike in ATF prices. However, the government negotiated the increase to just $100. “We also can’t blame airlines for the rise in ATF price… The decision was taken transparently, in good faith, to ensure no disruption in the Haj operations,” Rijiju tweeted.
Pilgrims have been asked to deposit the additional amount towards differential airfare by May 15.
The hike has drawn criticism from opposition leaders. Asaduddin Owaisi demanded withdrawal of the circular. Are pilgrims being punished for going through the Haj Committee? This is just exploitation and nothing else. Most pilgrims are not wealthy, they save money for years to be able to go to Haj. This is not a luxury for them.
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