Guntur: The AP government will appoint a cabinet sub-committee to monitor and protect land owned by various Christian bodies. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that the state government would appoint a cabinet sub-committee for the protection of land belonging to Christian institutions and reclaiming that which had been encro-ached upon.
He further announced that the government was working towards providing SC reservation for Christians who had converted from those castes and resolving other issues, including that of shortage of land for burial grounds.
Mr Naidu addressing the public here said that no state was officially celebrating Christmas, but AP would be the first one to do so.
He claimed that the AP government had 'created hi-story' by sanctioning a Christian Bhavan. Now officially celebrating Christmas was another landmark eve-nt. He said Christ preached love to the world and asked the people to follow theprinciples of Jesus, including forgiving sinners.
Conveying his Christmas and New Year greetings, Mr Naidu said that prayers gave eternal peace, and trust was most important in achieving success.
Praising the services of Christian missionaries in operating schools, hospitals, old age homes, community halls and other institutions, he said that these were synonymous with service, and asked them to join hands with the government to eradicate poverty and further serve the needy.
Recalling that NT Rama Rao studied at the Andhra Christian (AC) College at Guntur, with its focus on rigorous studies, Mr. Naidu announced the construction of a block named after him on the campus. He further announced that the government would help Christian minority educational institutions. He pointed out that the TD government was offering free education to all.
Mr. Naidu said that converting to Christianity would change socio-economic conditions and hence, the government was offering Christmas Chandranna Kanuka with essential items to mark the festive occasion. He claimed that TD was thus promoting religious harmony. Mr. Naidu said that Rs. 375 crore had been sanctioned for minority welfare and announced the sanction of Rs. 50 lakh in funds towards a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and converting SC/ST hostels into residential schools.
