The Centre has abolished Haj Subsidy from this year. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi informed that a record number of 1.75 lakh Muslims will undertake the Haj pilgrimage from India without any subsidy this year. <br/><br/>He said, for the first time, Muslim women from India will go to Haj without a male companion (Mehram).Mr Naqvi said the Haj subsidy will now be utilized for the educational empowerment of girls and women of the minority community. He said this is part of the government policy to empower minorities with dignity and without appeasement.<br/> <br/>Mr Naqvi said the government will start Haj pilgrimage through ships in coming days. He said, for the first time, the government has given the option to Haj pilgrims to opt for another embarkation point. He said it will ensure that there is no financial burden on Haj pilgrims even after removal of Haj subsidy.