The Government of India provides an airfare subsidy to about 100,000 pilgrims selected by the Haj Committee of India who go for Haj annually. Pilgrims pay only Rs 12,000 for their air travel. This figure has remained unchanged for at least a decade or more.
According to official figures, this subsidy was Rs 280 crores in 2006, or about Rs 28,000 per pilgrim. Today, with rising fuel prices, this figure would have gone up to Rs 350-400 crores.
There is a separate Haj cell in the ministry of external affairs. The Haj Committee of India has its own premises in Mumbai. Similarly the State Haj Committees have their own premises in various other Indian cities. These facilities have been built on land provided by the state governments.
For Haj 2007, a contingent of 115 doctors (including 63 specialists with post-graduate degrees) and 141 nurses and other para-medical staff, 3 coordinators, 46 assistant Haj officers, 165 Haj assistants and 186 Khadimul Hujjaj were sent from India on short-term deputation to Saudi Arabia.
Perhaps our self-righteous and petty Kashmiri politicians in India's only Mus1im-majority state should reflect over these facts and tell us whether they think it is at least their moral if not political obligation to be more caring and sensitive to Hindhu pilgrims visiting Amarnath. If we can do so much for Indians going on a pilgrimage abroad, should we not be able to do as much if not better for pilgrims at home?
Its all the chamcha congress game to spoil his name so that lollipop rahul can be projected as the true gandhi heir. Its open competition between lollipop rahul, xtian priyanka and brave Varun!
Varun is the youngest of them all but he is in good hands. BJP should mentor him and enhance his skills. For the moment he should focus on developing his skills and working for the people. His time will come for becoming senior member of the party but the main thing is winning the trust of people by hard work!
Re: Vote support BJP
by IA on Mar 25, 2009 01:34 AM
Look whats happening in Manglore under BJP. BJP is only creating GUNDAS. Its the people of india that love the country and work for it. All politicians are corrupt and BJP is the first one on the list.
Re: Re: Vote support BJP
by Pranav B on Mar 25, 2009 01:42 AM
which party dont have gundas? It is all a media game combined with the game played by politicians
Re: Re: Vote support BJP
by Prof Sharma on Mar 25, 2009 02:46 AM
Then why crimes & corruption & also prices are always high during congress raj? All pubs abd sex parlour become care-free under congress rule. This is a bitter truth.
The public of the Republic of India are responsible for all these mess. They are so crazy that they neither able to choose their right leader nor to respect the national heroes (from any field). Indians are becoming socially impotent as a nationhood. A large portion of the people of India are not mature enough to handle democracy.
Re: Re: India !!
by In Search on Mar 25, 2009 03:35 AM
B Lal is correct, people are not good enough because they are tolerating this nonsense since 1947! BTW, what democracy you talking? There's no pride or purpose (solved) in this form of democracy!
