Air India subsidy as Haj Subsidy to fool the pilgrims.
The Haj subsidy was established in 1973, when the Indian government abolished sea travel as an means of making the Hajj; to compensate, the government began subsidising the difference between sea and air fares.
Since 1994 the round trip cost to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has been fixed at 12,000 (US$239.4) per pilgrim.
Air India is paid Rs. 62000 per person whereas one could buy a Delhi-Jeddah-Delhi air ticket for Rs, 18000.
The major subsidy was to Air India and not to the person undertaking Haj!
The haj committee has only to arrange the air trip on open tender.
They name Air India subsidy as Haj Subsidy to fool the pilgrims.