SC stays high court bar on Haj subsidy

The Supreme Court on Monday stayed the Allahabad High Court order restraining the Centre from providing financial subsidies to Haj pilgrims.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice Y K Sabbhawal made it clear that the order pertains to the Haj pilgrimage for this year only.

While staying the interim order of the Allahabad High Court, the court took into consideration the arrangements made by the government for this year's Haj scheduled for November.

The Bench asked the High Court to deal expeditiously with the pending petition in this regard.

Solicitor General G E Vahanvati had sought stay of the order contending that it has a far reaching effect as the entire arrangements done for the Haj would be affected and it would be a big setback for the country in terms of international image.

Further, it said there has been an arrangement with the Saudi Airlines for the Haj pilgrims and if it was cancelled, there would be a huge economic loss to the state exchequer.

The SG said the Government had already entered into agreement with Saudi Arabia about the accomodation of 1.49 lakh people.

The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has, in its interim order on August 25, restrained the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government from providing funds or financial subsidies to Haj pilgrims and pilgrimages of any other community.

However, the High Court had allowed them to make arrangements to ensure law and order and safety of the people going on pilgrimage.

The order was passed on a petition filed by a Shiv Sena leader in 1995. His petition had said the Union and state governments should not pay any subsidy to Haj pilgrims out of the central or state exchequers.