By IANS
New Delhi : The Supreme Court Monday allowed the Union government to continue with its Haj subsidy for 2007.
A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice H.S. Bedi gave the go ahead by extending its last year's interim order, suspending the Allahabad High Court order restraining the government from providing subsidy to Haj pilgrims to Mecca.
The interim order was initially valid for only 2006.
Solicitor General G.E. Vahanvati pleaded to the court that while suspending the high court's order last year, it had given direction to it to decide the petition by Allahabad resident B.N. Shukla challenging the centre's policy to provide subsidy to Haj pilgrims within a year and before the next Haj season.
But as the high court has failed to decide the petition within the stipulated timeframe, the government is seeking continuance of Haj subsidy for 2007, said Vahanvati.
He added that the high court could not complete the hearing as one of the judges had recused himself from the case and the matter had now been posted before another bench for fresh hearing.
Vahanvati pointed out that the ban by the high court on the centre's policy for Haj subsidy would also affect Manasarovar Yatra, which is to begin June 1 and for which every pilgrim is given Rs. 3,250.