Hyderabad: The Centre would continue to provide subsidy to deserving Haj pilgrims, Union Minister for Textiles Syed Shahnawaz Hussain said on October 22.

To a query at a press conference whether the Central government would withdraw Haj subsidy in future, he said there was no proposal to discontinue it.

"In fact, the subsidy has been increased from Rs 10 crore during Congress regime to Rs 220 crore at present," he added.

From now on, the government would extend the subsidy to 72,000 pilgrims each year, he said, adding that however, it would not be available to those coming under the Income Tax net.

When asked about Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) prospects in coming elections, Hussain said the party was getting closer to Muslims with its progressive policies.

Muslims who contested polls on BJP tickets were elected with a thumping majority, including himself, he added.

PTI