CPM Slams Scrapping Of Haj Subsidy 

New Delhi: The CPI(M) today alleged that the government's move to withdraw the subsidy for Haj was "arbitrary and motivated by other considerations".

The government stopped the subsidy for the annual pilgrimage "abruptly". The Supreme Court had in 2012 said the subsidy should be phased out over 10 years, it said. "The sudden withdrawal of the subsidy seems arbitrary and motivated by other considerations," a party statement read. The CPI(M) asserted it never supported "state subsidy or funding of pilgrimages".

Also read: No Haj Subsidy From This Year

After this move, there should be no "central or state government funding" for subsidies and grants for pilgrimages, it said.

Minority affairs minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi yesterday announced the scrapping of the subsidy for Haj from this year, four years ahead of a deadline suggested by the apex court in a 2012 order.

PTI