Andhra govt. to enact bill to protect Christian properties

Andhra Pradesh government, this week, decided to effectuate a Christian Properties Protection Bill on the next winter session of the legislative assembly.

The Chief Minister Dr YS Rajasekhar Reddy with the Minister for Minority Welfare Mohammed Ali Shabbir and senior officials of the minority welfare department discussed and collated the issues related to the proposed bill, on Wednesday.

In 2005, the house committee chaired by Anam Vivekananda Reddy was asked to probe the illegal occupation of properties of Christian missionaries and educational institutions in the state and to suggest suitable measures to protect the properties of Christian missionaries, churches and educational institutions.

According to news sources, the panel also probed the sale or lease of properties of Christian institutions, illegal occupation of prime lands of Christian missionaries, churches and illegal constructions in the lands of Christian minorities in different districts.

The committee on May 17, 2006 submitted a report to the speaker recommending the government to bring in a comprehensive legislation on the lines of AP Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act 1987 and Wakf Act 1995 as a solution for prohibiting lease or sale of properties of Christian missionaries or educational institutions.

MLA Christine Lazarus had also made some suggestions to the government, on this issue.

The officials consequently were asked by the chief minister to conduct open debate by holding seminars with the participation of Christian NGOs, Bishops, and Christian organizations in the state to draw opinion and suggestions in this regard.