Media Eye News Bureau: The government recently announced a significant reduction in airfare for those going on the Haj, a month after it scrapped subsidies for the pilgrimage.
Union minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “The PMO took a keen interest in this. The decision is in line with our empowerment without appeasement policy.”
The reduction will be applicable to passages on Air India, Saudi Airlines and Flynas, an air carrier based in Saudi Arabia, to Jeddah and Medina from 21 airports in India.
Naqvi added, “The decision to cut airfares will end the political and economic exploitation of Hajis as was done during the Congress-led UPA regime.”
From Ahmedabad, the round fare this year is set to be around Rs.65,015 as against Rs. 98,750 in 2013-2014. The passage from Mumbai has been brought down to around Rs. 57,857 from Rs. 98,750 in 2013-14.
