Govt likely to do away with subsidy for Christian pilgrimages

The chances for Christians getting grants for pilgrimages to Jerusalem seem faint with the government set to "evaluate" the subsidy system.

External affairs minister S Krishna Monday said the central government was having second thoughts on subsidy for Haj pilgrims.

Krishna made the statement while addressing reporters on whether a similar package will be granted to Christians visiting holy sites.

"There are second thoughts with reference to Haj. Several Haj reforms are taking place and we are evaluating this question of subsidy constantly," Krishna said.

The Minister informed that a large number of Muslim organisations had approached the Centre to abolish this subsidy concept. "So I think that will be part of the reforms which we will be taking up," he said.

The government earlier had increased the airfares for pilgrims who undertook the journey through the Haj Committee from Rs 12,000 to Rs 16,000. In 2009-10, the government had spent Rs 690 crore on Haj subsidy.

Christians have also been demanding Haj-like concessions to pilgrims from the community who visit Jerusalem, the birth place of Jesus Christ.

Following requests from local churches, the Tamil Nadu government in December last year issued an order providing Rs 20,000 as subsidy to enable 500 Christians to undertake pilgrimage to Jerusalem during 2011-12.

The order allotted Rs 1 crore for providing the subsidy of Rs 20,000 each to 500 pilgrims was issued here today.

The Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC), an ecumenical body of bishops and church leaders, is also demanding subsidy to poor Christians in the state to visit holy sites.