Disruption comes amid re-verification exercise by ministry over duplication & alleged misuse. Budget allocation is also down from Rs 42.84 cr in 2025-26 to Rs 36.14 cr in 2026–27.
Policy for 2025 also mandates one state haj inspector for 150 pilgrims as against 300 in old policy. Haj Suvidha app has been launched to provide info on accommodation & flights.
Modi govt discontinued scheme in 2022 but promised to support existing beneficiaries. But, ministry official concedes that stipends not released in last three months.
This is the second consecutive year when Indians will miss going for the annual pilgrimage, owing to travel restrictions that have been put in place because of the Covid pandemic.
The collusion between the new class of bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen and trade union bosses perpetuates itself partly because of the short-run benefits and partly because they see no way out of the system, wrote author MH Mody in 1980.
IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.
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