Andhra Pradesh: Govt programs to help Christians

In a bid to help the Christians in Andhra Pradesh, the state government last week has initiated two new programs.

According to sources, on Nov. 13, the government announced the setting up of a Christian Minority Finance Corporation and a separate wing for Christians in the state's minority welfare department.

While the finance corporation would lend money at an interest rate lower than banks to help them earn a livelihood and still repay the loans, the new section for Christians in the minority department will look into the issues facing the Church in the state.

A government notification on Nov. 13 said the schemes are attempts to respond to various requests from Christian groups during the past year.

Lingaraj Panigrahi, principal state secretary, signed the order, which provides for a managing director and two consultants among the corporation's other staff. The government also allotted the corporation a budget of 2.8 million rupees (about US$57,300), UCA News reported.

The Church has meanwhile welcomed the move to help Christians in the state.

Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad, the head of the Catholic Church in the state, said the corporation will give poor Christians an opportunity to progress.

Archbishop Joji told UCA News that Church groups have sought a welfare department for Christians for more than a decade. "It is good the government has at least consented for a separate cell under the minority welfare department," he said, adding that the Church would cooperate with the government.

Church people estimate more than 80 percent of the state's Christians come from socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

Christians form 1.6 percent of the state's 76.8 million people. Muslims account for 9.2 percent and Hindus 89 percent.