From correspondents in Delhi, India, 04:32 PM IST

An additional 13,000 Indian Muslims will be able to perform the Haj on government subsidy this year, it was announced here Thursday.

'Till now, 110,000 pilgrims were able to perform the Haj on government subsidy. This year, the number has been raised to 123,211,' Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

'The airfare for these pilgrims has been pegged at last year's level of Rs.12,000,' the minister added.

From this year, Indore will become the 17th embarkation point for pilgrims undertaking the Haj.

'This will facilitate pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh,' Dasmunsi said.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)