New Delhi: Government today (Sep 15, 2004) decided in principle to withdraw changes in Haj pilgrimage regulations carried out by the previous NDA (National Democratic Alliance) regime last year, including discontinuation of subsidy for income tax payees.

"All the changes carried out by the NDA regime with regard to Haj pilgrimage last year will stand withdrawn and status quo as existed in 2002 will be restored," Minister of State for Home Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Jaiswal said the Prime Minister assured him that all alternations in Haj regulations, done by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-led Government, would be taken back. This would, however, require the approval of the Union Cabinet after which an official notification would be issued.

The Minister in particular pointed to the withdrawal of the subsidy for Haj pilgrims paying income tax saying there was no need for two sets of rules.

Jaiswal recalled that the Congress, which was then in Opposition, had vehemently objected to the proposed changes by the NDA Government and its president Sonia Gandhi had even written a letter to then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee opposing them.

Another change in Haj regulations to be brought about related to a man not being allowed to travel with his wife from the same place as required by 'mehran' and the Saudi law.

Asked if the changes were being carried out in view of the coming Maharashtra elections and Lok Sabha and Assembly bye polls, he said, "This has nothing to do with elections".