Haj airfares slashed, J&K benefits most

A month after it scrapped subsidies for Haj pilgrims, the government today announced a significant reduction in airfares for devotees travelling to Saudi Arabia, with the prices of round tickets being slashed by Rs 20,000 to Rs 97,000. Union Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi described the move as a “major step” that would end the “political and economic exploitation of Haj performers as was being done during the Congress-led UPA regime”, allegedly in the name of offering subsidies. The minister said the move sought to address concerns about airfares going…

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