The government appointed Committee on Haj Policy has recommended phasing out of subsidy for Haj pilgrims and allowing women devotees above 45 years of age to travel in a group of<br/>at least four without a male. <br/><br/>The Committee presented its report on New Haj policy 2018-22 to Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in Mumbai today. <br/><br/>In view of the Supreme Court direction, the Ministry had set up the Panel under the Chairmanship of former Secretary Afzal Amanullah to review the existing Haj Policy and to suggest a framework for new Haj policy 2018-22. <br/><br/>According to the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the proposed new Haj Policy also recommended bringing down the number of embarkation points from 21 to 9. <br/><br/>The embarkation points are Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Cochin.The proposed policy also aims at rationalising distribution of the Haj quota between the Haj Committee of India and private tour operators in the ratio of 70:30 for the next five years.<br/><br/>It also stresses on breaking the cartel of contractors with<br/>a transparent bidding process.It also recommended an increase in special quota for Jammu and Kashmir from 1500 to 2000.<br/><br/>The policy also proposes to ensure the stay of all Indian<br/>Haj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia within Mina.India has an annual Haj quota of 1.7 lakh devotees. <br/><br/>The Ministry said, it will examine the report and share with all concerned for implementation of the accepted recommendations of the Haj 2018 onwards.