Re: Transfer of forest land in Kashmir to Hindu pilgrims
"AHMEDABAD: The Modi government is yet to pay subsidy of Rs 20,000 to Gujaratis who went to Kailash-Mansarovar in mid-2006, even at this crucial pre-election time.
The government had provided a subsidy of Rs 20,000 along with a kit to fight cold weather conditions at high altitude. Though the pilgrims were given the kit before leaving for the yatra, they have still not been given the money.
Four batches of pilgrims from Gujarat, with a total strength of 168 persons, had gone to Mansarovar from June to September 2006. Incidentally, the central government pays Rs 25,000, Rs 5000 more subsidy than Gujarat."
While we’re on the topic, why don’t we go over the differences in the subsidies too. It appears that the Hindu subsidy consists of cash paid out to the yatris. The Hajj subsidy, on the other hand, is not a cash payment…the hajjis never see a dime. It consists of a Rs. 20,000 discount on the already inflated Air India (government owned) fare, if you buy your full package through the government (at a total cost of around Rs. 100,000). In essence, the government pays its own, state-owned airline the “subsidy.”
Which of course is why around 50% of hajjis just forgo the subsidy entirely, and make private arrangement through travel agents (at significantly less cost).