Abolishing subsidy for Haj pilgrims and allowing women devotees above 45 to travel in a group of at least four without a male are some of the key highlights of a proposed Haj policy drafted by a committee appointed by the Centre, sources said. "The 2018 Haj pilgrimage will be in line with the new Haj policy. The policy has been drafted in light of a 2012 Supreme Court order asking the Centre to abolish the Haj subsidy gradually by 2022, sources in the ministry said. It also proposes to build suitable Haj houses at these EPs "to which states and districts will be tagged properly". The policy also proposes to ensure the stay of all Indian Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia within Mina.

Source: dna October 07, 2017 13:18 UTC