Demand to return 18 pc GST collected from Hajj pilgrims

Mumbai: Indian Hajj Umrah Tours Operators and Welfare Association and officials of other organisations sent a letter to union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on June 5, demanding the removal of GST for the Hajj pilgrims. They argued that Hajj and Umrah are not business. People save their hard-earned money to go for the Holy pilgrimage. Levying GST on them for the Holy pilgrimage is uncalled for.

The letter also pointed out that a 5-member committee was formed to formulate a new Hajj policy after the Hajj Committee of India was handed over to the minister of minority affairs. The community members had sent some beneficial suggestions which were quite important for the pilgrims, which were ignored and the new policy was formulated according to their will & wish and it was implemented as well.