No govt role in negotiations on Ayodhya dispute: Naqvi

New Delhi, Nov 14 (PTI) Union Minority Affairs MinisterMukhtar Abbas Naqvi today dismissed the opposition'sallegation that the government was playi...

New Delhi, Nov 14 (PTI) Union Minority Affairs MinisterMukhtar Abbas Naqvi today dismissed the opposition'sallegation that the government was playing a role in thenegotiations to resolve the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Mosquedispute in Ayodhya.

Naqvi, however, said it would be an "ideal" situation ifthe issue was resolved through peaceful deliberations amongparties to the dispute.

The minister's remarks come in the wake of Art of LivingFoundation head Sri Sri Ravi Shankar offering to mediate inthe matter through out-of-court talks, to which the SupremeCourt is not averse.

The spiritual leader said yesterday that he would visitthe Uttar Pradesh town on November 16 to meet all thestakeholders.

The Congress earlier dubbed the spiritual leader as a"government agent representing its interest" in the dispute.

"The government is not involved in it (dispute), nor isit playing any role in the negotiations. If the issue issettled among the parties through peaceful discussions,nothing like it," Naqvi said.

He added that the court would decide the matter in casethe talks did not work since the matter was pending before it.

Replying to another query, the minister said that thegovernment has decided to increase private tour operators'(PTOs) Haj quota from current five per cent as severaldevotees have expressed interest in going for the annualpilgrimage through private players.

He, however, did not specify the number.

"Haj subsidy is being slashed gradually (as per a 2012Supreme Court order) and several people want to go for Hajthrough private tour operators. So, we have decided toincrease their quota," Naqvi said.

The minister said his ministry has strengthenedregulation of PTOs to ensure that devotees "are notexploited". India has an annual Haj quota of 1.70 lakhpilgrims. PTI ENMSMN.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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