No Haj subsidy after 10 years, SC tells government

New Delhi, May 8 (IANS) The Supreme Court Tuesday directed the government to eliminate the subsidy for Haj pilgrims in the next 10 years.

Coming out against the government policy of subsidies to pilgrims going for Haj to the holy city of Mecca, an apex court bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam also cut the goodwill delegation sent by the government.

In another important direction, the court in its order said the goodwill delegation sent by the government every year to Mecca would comprise only two members - its leader and the deputy leader.

At present, the goodwill delegation consists of 30 members.

The court has also sought details from the state-level Haj committees and the Haj Committee of India as to how subsidy is given and what is the total expenditure on it.