New Delhi: Suggesting that there was no need for imposing restrictions on Haj pilgrims for subsidy, Congress president Sonia Gandhi today (Dec 23, 2003) asked Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to keep them in abeyance till the entire matter was properly reviewed in consultation with Opposition parties.

"My party and I strongly feel that there is no need or justification for changing the existing pattern of subsidies," Gandhi, in a letter to Vajpayee, said.

Keeping in view the strong feelings expressed by members in Parliament, she said, "I urge you to kindly have the new rules held in abeyance till the entire matter is properly reviewed in consultation with the Opposition parties.

"You would be aware of the strong feelings expressed by a wide cross section of members in Lok Sabha over the last two days against the new restrictions placed for subsidy to Haj pilgrims," she said, adding that this had created intense distress to the next batch of pilgrims due to depart shortly.

The Government has put three conditions for Haj pilgrims: first, the subsidy would be once in lifetime, secondly, the stay arrangements would be made by Haj Committee and thirdly, income tax payees would not be entitled for any subsidy.