CM Naidu Reaffirms Commitment to Christian Welfare
Naidu said Christmas, commemorating the birth of Jesus to Mother Mary, was among the world’s greatest festivals, symbolising eternal values that guided mankind.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said the timeless messages of Jesus Christ, namely love, peace and service, continue to inspire humanity and governance systems.
Participating in the Semi-Christmas celebrations organised by the AP government at the A-Plus Convention Centre here, Naidu reaffirmed that his government would not allow any compromise on the security, dignity and welfare of Christians.
The Chief Minister cut the Christmas cake, shared it with religious leaders and lit candles.
He said Christmas, commemorating the birth of Jesus to Mother Mary, was among the world’s greatest festivals, symbolising eternal values that guided mankind. Christ’s life, from his humble birth in a manger to his supreme sacrifice for his beliefs, should inspire people to follow the path of peace, compassion and forgiveness, shun jealousy and hatred, and imbibe the spirit of service, as taught in the Bible, he said.
Referring to governance, the CM said the state had suffered severe economic damage over the past five years due to mismanagement. “The deeper I go, the more the problems that emerge. Coming across such destruction was unprecedented in my public life,” he remarked.
Naidu said his government was rebuilding the state brick by brick. “Within 18 months, we have stabilised the economy and successfully implemented the promised ‘Super Six’ welfare programmes,” he said.
Highlighting support to Christian minorities, the Chief Minister said a fund of `22 crore had been spent exclusively for the community’s welfare, benefiting 44,812 people through various schemes.
He said, “The government is providing a monthly honorarium of Rs.5,000 to 8,427 pastors. While Rs.30 crore was released between May and November 2024, an additional Rs.51 crore for the period December 2024 to November 2025 will be credited to pastors’ accounts by December 24.”
The alliance government, Naidu said, remains firmly committed to Christians’ welfare, employment and economic empowerment. “Livelihood schemes have been revived with Rs.20 crore allocated in 2025–26 to provide employment to 2,000 beneficiaries. Funds have been earmarked for modernising the Christian Economic Development Mission (CEDM) and we are clearing Rs.6 crore in pending dues.”
Free coaching, he said, is being provided for Group-I, Group-II, DSC, TET, NEET and UPSC examinations. Under DSC training at 26 centres, over 6,000 candidates were trained statewide, with more than 500 securing selection.
The CM said Rs.70 crore was sanctioned between 2014 and 2018 for 977 churches, with construction completed for 377. His government has spent Rs.10 crore on a Christian community building in Guntur and its completion would be done this year. Financial assistance was also being extended for Jerusalem pilgrimages, with Rs.1.50 crore allocated this year.
Praising Christian missionaries, Naidu said their contributions through schools, colleges and hospitals were invaluable, reiterating that building a poverty-free society remained the coalition government’s core objective.
