The Supreme Court on Monday declined to issue any directions to the Centre on a plea filed by the Federation of Haj Private Tour Operators (PTOs), challenging the validity of a condition imposed on Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) to charge the same rates as the Haj Committee of India on the additional quota of 10,000 seats for the pilgrims to Makkah and Madinah.
A vacation bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and B R Gavainoted that most of the concerns of the tour operators have been addressed bythe Ministry of Minority Affairs, following a meeting on June 20 held after thetop court asked the government to look into the matter.On June 21, a circular, issued by the Ministry,stated, among others, that the HGOs may make adjustment within the overallpackage rate. The court also granted liberty to the federation of PTOs to makea fresh plea in future if they feel not content with the Haj policy 2019-23.