The Hajj Committee of India expects the prices of the airfare for Hajj, the annual Pilgrimage of Muslims to be increased by 20 percent. Ata- ur-Rahman, the Chief Executive Officer of Hajj Committee of India, speaking to a popular news daily said that the rise in the airfare is a result of the order by Supreme Court to gradually increase the Hajj subsidy.
The CEO had said, “We are expecting a rise by at least Rs. 15,000 in terms of airfare. However, the final figure is yet to be finalized. We will get to know about the airfare in the coming weeks. The reason for the increase is the phased doing away of the subsidy.” Also, by the end of the next month, the exchange value of Rupee-Riyal will be finalized. This exchange rate is expected to affect those pilgrims who carry cash to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
The airfare till last year was Rs. 56,000 according to reports by the Telangana State Hajj Committee (TSHC.) With the expected increase in airfare, the ticket is expected to cost around Rs. 71,000. This hike in the airfare is expected to be felt on total Hajj fare and pilgrimage.
The total package of Hajj till 2016 was Rs. 2,20,550 for green category accommodation and for Azizia category accommodation it was Rs. 1,86,850. These are expected to increase considerably as a result of the hike. Amidst this situation, the TSHC has rolled out instructions to selected pilgrims to deposit the first installment of Rs. 81,000 for Haj in the account of Hajj Committee of India on or before April 5. These pilgrims also need to submit bank challan receipts, original passports, photographs, medical screening and also fitness certificate to the committee.
