Demands for Grants (1998-99)[Extracts]
Haj: The Committee drew the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to the fact that there has been lot of complaints about the method of selection of Haj pilgrims and making the funds available to them for the pilgrimage. Since the Haj Affairs are looked into by the MEA. the Committee feel that there should be a clear demarcation of powers of the Mission at Jeddah and Haj Committee to avoid any overlapping between them which, in turn, results in lot of difficulties to the Hajis. As the Haj Committee is still functioning under the old statute, the Committee desires that early steps be taken to review and make necessary amendments in the Central Haj Committee Act.
No Quota, No Numerical Limit, No Subsidy
Shahabuddin's Letter to A. Durrani, 18 Jan., 2000
The Dharna by the Delhi State Haj Committee for getting additional Haj quota sanctioned for Delhi pilgrims is, in my view, misconceived. The total number of Haj pilgrims - the so-called Haj Quota - is determined by the Government for the country as a whole and then the quota is distributed state-wise in accordance with the prescribed formula. The surplus unutilised quota of some States is redistributed among the 'deficit' States in proportion to their waiting applications. Therefore, the question of increasing the Haj quota should be taken up by the Central Haj Committee and the benefits should be equitably distributed over all States with a surplus of applications.
Secondly, the State Haj Committees are not statutory bodies. They have been established by executive order to assist the Central Haj Committee in the performance of its allotted tasks. Therefore, the Dharna goes beyond the function and responsibility of your State Haj Committee. I dare say that the Haj affairs with due concern for its sanctity and should not be politicised.
In my view. the only long-term solution is simultaneously to abolish the Haj Air Charter subsidy and the Haj Quota and make the Haj Committee responsible for making arrangements for all applicants within the national limit sent by the Saudi Arabia authorities.
Jump in Subsidy Due to High Charter Fare
Shahabuddin's Letter to P.M., 11 February, 2000
For Haj 2000, the Government have sanctioned a subsidy of Rs.137.12 crore for Haj Air Charter Service. This is the highest so far.
This high subsidy is largely due to the fact that the Haj Charter return fare has been fixed at Rs.31,044 which is higher than the normal Delhi-Jeddah-Delhi IATA fare. Normally, because of utilisation of full capacity on one lap and low fuel consumption on the vacant return lap, the charter fare used to be fixed at 2/3 of the IATA fare.
Thus, even if the Government decide, on political grounds, not to raise the Haj fare payable by the pilgrim, from the level of Rs.12,000/-, the subsidy should not have exceeded Rs.8,000/- per pilgrim i.e. 57.6 crore in all. I had repeatedly pointed out to your colleagues, the Minister of External Affairs and the Minister of Civil Aviation that the sudden jump in the Haj Charter Fare in 1997 and, therefore, in the total subsidy in recent years is totally unjustified and it must be brought down by proper negotiation, after collecting data from other countries like Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran etc. But apparently no one took any heed. To my mind, the system of negotiation needs to be overhauled in the national interest.
Since there is the possibility of collusion between the Haj Committee, the Air India, the "Charter airline and possibly the Government officials concerned there appears to be a case for a CBI probe in the matter. You may like to consider this aspect.
For the present, I would be grateful if you would be kind enough to look into the various components that have gone into the fixation of the Haj charter fare at Rs.31,044.
CBI Inquiry in Fixation of Charter Fare Since 1997
Shahabuddin's Letter to S. Yadav, 12 Feb,, 2000
You will find that the Haj Charter Fare was raised suddenly for Haj 1997, consequently raising the Haj Charter Subsidy. Till 1997, the Charter fare used to be around 2/3 of the normal IATA fare. In 1997, it was raised to IATA fare level.
I am advised that in 1997this was the result of collusion between the then Chairman, Haj Committee, the Air India and the then Minister of Civil Aviation. In 1997, Air India itself carried the pilgrims, Haj subsidy became a subsidy to Air India!
The same pattern has been followed in Haj 1998, Haj 1999 and now in Haj 2000, despite the fact that the IATA fare has remained unchanged since before 1997, with the difference that private firms have taken Air India's plane.
So now the Haj Subsidy is being pocketted by the foreign carriers. In the national interest, I request you to order a CBI investigation in the fixation of Haj Charter Fare since 1997.
