Urged  budgetary allocation increased to Rs. 100 Cr

The International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA), while thanking the BJP-ruled Karnataka Government for allocating Rs. 50 crores for Christian welfare schemes, has urged the government to set up forthwith a Christian Development Board similar to the Minority Development Board, instead of the Christian Development Council (CDC) which it has termed as a ‘toothless body’. A delegation of IFKCA, led by its Chairman, Ronald Colaco, met the Chief Minister, Mr. D.V.Sadananda Gowda and apprised him of the various demands of the Christian community, including increasing the budgetary allocation from Rs. 50 crores to Rs. 100 crores. The Chief Minister assured the delegation that these would be looked into positively and has called for a meeting of CDC on June 13. The delegation presented a memorandum to the Chief Minister which highlighted the drawbacks of the CDC. The CDC members, Colaco said, had no authority or responsibility. The CDC of which the Chief Minister is the Chairman has met only once during the last 15 months. The CDC is without an office and that is one of the major drawbacks.

Mr. Colaco said that whatever the government assistance under various schemes have not been done based on the population, region and denomination. The delegation comprised of CDC members – Mr. Antony Mendonca, Mrs. Gladys Almeida from Udup, Mr. Jeraradin D’Souza (from Mangalore), Mr. Yesudas (from Shimoga), Mr. Edwin and Mr. Joachim Seerao. for further details contact: 98440 06736