Andhra Pradesh allocates Rs.20 mn for Christian pilgrims

Finance minister K. Rosaiah allocated Rs. 20 million to subsidise travel for Christians wanting to travel holy sites in Israel. The state budget for the year 2008–09 mentioned this on Saturday.

Governor N.D. Tiwari, in his address to the joint budget session of the assembly and the council Monday, announced the government would offer subsidies to Christian pilgrims on the lines of the Haj subsidy for Muslims.

The finance minister also allocated Rs. 50 million for repairs of churches and mosques in the state. He was quoted by the media saying, he was fully committed to the welfare of the minorities.

Surprisingly, subsidy for Christian pilgrims is the first of its kind being offered by any state government in the country. Incidentally, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is also a Christian.

Christians account for nearly two percent of the 12 percent minorities.