CNI Bishop of Calcutta accused of corruption

Calcutta – The Church of North India (CNI) bishop of Calcutta has been accused of corruption by a section of CNI members who claim that the money collected for the tsunami relief in Andaman and Nicobar islands, continue to remain unaccounted.

The People’s Synod, an association of the Church of North India (CNI) members “united against the corruption in the church” said convened a press conference recently, saying that though the church has collected about Rs. 30 crore for the relief and rehabilitation work, yet “there is no accountability on the part of the church.”

“From whatever little information made available by Bishop PSP Raju, head of the disaster management committee of the church, its certain that most of the funds did not reach the needy,” Indian Express quoted Rajendra K Sail, convenor of People’s Synod, as saying.

Sail has also accused the church authorities of making faulty designs for the 36 schools CNI is building in the island.

“It’s ridiculous to have such designs for schools which are not fit for the island. The authorities had to change the plan when the construction had reached half–way mark. It’s also ridiculous to have English–model churches in the tribal areas,” Sail said.

According to Sail, the church is “running the educational as well as health care institutions with a commercial mindset” and “the educational institutions alone rake in Rs 2,000 crore every year.”