The subsidy, which covers the cost of air tickets, has been a divisive subject. The pilgrimage’s association with a sea journey meant that the agency that helped pilgrims was called the Port Haj Committee till the 1950s. Air fares were expensive and, in response to demands for help, the government introduced the subsidy to cover the cost of air tickets. Two-third of the pilgrims go through the Haj Committee, the rest use private tour companies to make their travel arrangements. Maulana Mustkim Azmi, a former member of the Haj Committee, is of the opinion that there should not be a sub-quota for tour operators.

Source: Hindustan Times January 23, 2017 03:40 UTC