Govt urged not to raise airfare

At a press conference at the National Press Club in the city, parishad

President Moulana Sadek Ahmed Siddiqui said the government has fixed airfare of non-ballotee hajis at $ 950, but a vested quarter of Biman Bangladesh Airlines is trying to increase the fare by $ 410 more showing an excuse of plane shortage and price hike of jet fuel for their personal interest.

He said an airfare of $ 950 for ballotee hajis and $ 1360 for non-ballotees is discriminatory and illegal.

Moulana Sadek said if a non-ballotee pilgrim has to pay more than $ 410 then the government will have to bear the extra cost.

The parishad threatened tougher agitation if the government fails to resolve the issue within seven days.

The parisahd also demanded creation of hajj advisory committee, formulation of permanent Hajj policy and separate hajj and wakf ministry to give proper service to intending hajis.

"Last year Bangladesh Biman carried 23,820 pilgrims including ballotee and non-ballotee, but this year why will not the Biman be able to carry more than four thousand pilgrims, asked Moulana Sadek.

According to religious affairs ministry, the government has decided to allow 60,000 intending persons to perform Hajj next year. Of them, 4000 would go under government management (ballotee) and the rest through non-government agencies (non-ballotee).

Parishad Vice-presidents Abul Hussain and Mujibur Rahman, General Secretary Shahidul Islam Ansari, Organising Secretary Habibullah Sarker, and Publicity Secretary Saifullah were present at the press conference.