Haj pilgrimage turns expensive, thanks to GST

Vijayawada: Haj pilgrimage will cost more henceforth with the levying of 18 per cent GST on the flight charges. Due to lack of direct flight connectivity from either Gannavaram Airport or Vizag Airpors to Jeddaiah, Saudi Arabia, the Haj pilgrims of Andhra Pradesh are going on Haj pilgrimage from Hyderabad Airport or Bengaluru airport.

Muslims of Rayalaseema region prefer Bengaluru airport than Hyderabad airport. Muslims of coastal districts opt for Hyderabad airport. Haj pilgrims go to Mecca in two categories i.e. the Azizia and Green Category.

Following are the new charges with the levying of 18 per cent GST on flight charges. The pilgrims have to pay charges for flight fare, food, accommodation and local transportation etc.

Now, each pilgrim has to pay extra charges between Rs 12,600 and Rs 21,650 depending on the category. Total fare from embarkation point in Hyderabad to Jeddah is Rs.2,47,750. Earlier, it was Rs 2,35,150.

Now the excess charge is Rs 12,600. Pilgrims travelling by Aizizia category from Hyderabad to Jeddah have to pay Rs 2,13,600 against the previous rate of Rs 2,01,800. The excess charge is Rs 11,800.  

Pilgrims travelling from Embarkation point in Bengaluru in Green category have to pay Rs 2,61,250 against the previous charges of Rs.2,39,600. Now, the extra charge is Rs 21,650.  

Azizia category charge from Bengaluru is Rs 2,27,10 against the previous charge of Rs.2,06,200. Now, the extra charge is Rs 20,900. The Andhra Pradesh Haj Committee in its meeting held in Vijayawada on Tuesday demanded that the Union government immediately withdraw the 18 per cent GST on Haj pilgrims.  

MLC Ahmed Shareef, State Haj committee chairman Momeen Ahmed Hussain and other members attended the meeting. The members lamented over the failure of the government to provide embarkation facility at the Gannavaram Airport.

MLC Ahmed Shareef said the Supreme Court had directed the Union government to gradually reduce the subsidy to Haj pilgrims by 2022. Haj Committee members expressed displeasure over the failure of the TDP government to construct Haj House in Vijayawada as per the assurance given ahead of 2014 polls.