Nagpur, Oct 5 (UNI) Former Cabinet Minister Dr Anees Ahmed has demanded for abolition of Income-Tax rule that makes furnishing of IT returns mandatory for foreign visits, which cost around Rs 2 lakh, for Haj pilgrims.
He made this demand during a meeting with Union Cabinet Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi in Delhi on Saturday.
Dr Ahmed said as Haj pilgrimage was not a pleasure tour, the rule should not be applicable to Haj pilgrims.
The senior Congress leader also said, “Not all Haj pilgrims are income-tax payees and hence it will be an unnecessary burden on them."
He demanded that the Ministry of Minority Affairs should get Haj exempted by the Finance Ministry from this rule and relieve the Haj pilgrims from unnecessary stress and burden.
Dr Ahmed further said that as Haj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a Muslim man saves his lifetime earning to perform the pilgrimage.
The former state Minority minister added that most people in rural belts do not file IT returns, yet many go for Haj by saving money over a period.
"Haj pilgrims spend money they earned through rightful means. The tax regime will harass them and many Muslims will be discouraged to visit Haj," remarked Dr Ahmed.
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