08-17-2005, 12:36 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->In majority Hindu India, <b>GOI gives a subsidy of total $98,000 to Hindus for
pilgrimage for three years (2002, 2003 & 2004) whereas the Muslims are given
$41 million Haj subsidy per year. This information is from GOI. What a
wonderful concept of Indian secularism? Here is the Press Release.</b>
Press Release
Press Information Bureau of India
August 10, 2005
www.pib.nic.in
DELHI, INDIA, August 10, 2005: The Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri
E. Ahmed informed the Lok Sabha about the details of subsidy and other
facilities which are being provided by Union Government, at present, for
pilgrims visiting various religious shrines abroad. In summary, for the Hindu
Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the government pays pays US$73 for each pilgrim
to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) for arrangements made by KMVN for the
Yatra. In addition, during the course of the Yatra, facilities provided by the
Government to the pilgrims include free medical assistance, security and escort
cover by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) till the Lipulekh Pass on the
Indian side, communication links with China, and provision of satellite phone
to the Liaison Officer for each batch of pilgrims for use during emergency
throughout the Yatra. A Liaison Officer is attached by the Government with each
batch of pilgrims, who is responsible for their general welfare. It is the
Government's endeavour to improve and upgrade facilities for the pilgrims going
on the Yatra on a continuing basis. During the last three years (2002, 2003 &
2004), 1,322 pilgrims undertook Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and an amount of
approximately <b>$98,000 was paid to the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) for
making the required arrangements for the Yatra</b>.
The amount of subsidy provided by the Government to Haj pilgrims who perform Haj to Mecca in Saudia Arabia through the Haj Committee of India. <b>In 2005 was $41 million, with similar amounts also spent in 2003 and 2004.</b> The other facilities provided by the Government to the Haj pilgrims include setting up of hospitals and dispensaries in Saudi Arabia, supply of medicines, deputation of medical, para-medical and administrative staff. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah also renders assistance in making various logistical arrangements for the
pilgrims performing Haj through the Haj Committee of India. The above
information was given by the Minister in reply to a question by Kunwar
Manvendra Singh.
(HPI adds: This particular report does not say how many Haj
pilgrims were subsidized in 2005, however in 2002, according to one web report,
77,000 Haj pilgrims were subsidized.)
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
pilgrimage for three years (2002, 2003 & 2004) whereas the Muslims are given
$41 million Haj subsidy per year. This information is from GOI. What a
wonderful concept of Indian secularism? Here is the Press Release.</b>
Press Release
Press Information Bureau of India
August 10, 2005
www.pib.nic.in
DELHI, INDIA, August 10, 2005: The Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri
E. Ahmed informed the Lok Sabha about the details of subsidy and other
facilities which are being provided by Union Government, at present, for
pilgrims visiting various religious shrines abroad. In summary, for the Hindu
Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage, the government pays pays US$73 for each pilgrim
to Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) for arrangements made by KMVN for the
Yatra. In addition, during the course of the Yatra, facilities provided by the
Government to the pilgrims include free medical assistance, security and escort
cover by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) till the Lipulekh Pass on the
Indian side, communication links with China, and provision of satellite phone
to the Liaison Officer for each batch of pilgrims for use during emergency
throughout the Yatra. A Liaison Officer is attached by the Government with each
batch of pilgrims, who is responsible for their general welfare. It is the
Government's endeavour to improve and upgrade facilities for the pilgrims going
on the Yatra on a continuing basis. During the last three years (2002, 2003 &
2004), 1,322 pilgrims undertook Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and an amount of
approximately <b>$98,000 was paid to the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) for
making the required arrangements for the Yatra</b>.
The amount of subsidy provided by the Government to Haj pilgrims who perform Haj to Mecca in Saudia Arabia through the Haj Committee of India. <b>In 2005 was $41 million, with similar amounts also spent in 2003 and 2004.</b> The other facilities provided by the Government to the Haj pilgrims include setting up of hospitals and dispensaries in Saudi Arabia, supply of medicines, deputation of medical, para-medical and administrative staff. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah also renders assistance in making various logistical arrangements for the
pilgrims performing Haj through the Haj Committee of India. The above
information was given by the Minister in reply to a question by Kunwar
Manvendra Singh.
(HPI adds: This particular report does not say how many Haj
pilgrims were subsidized in 2005, however in 2002, according to one web report,
77,000 Haj pilgrims were subsidized.)
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->