Karnataka govt approves Rs 50 crore for Christian welfare

In a rare gesture, the BS Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka last week approved a special grant of Rs 50 crore for the welfare of the Christian community.

The state cabinet reportedly approved the grant for renovation of churches and initiating development schemes for the minority community.

Law Minister Suresh Kumar told media that Rs 35 crore would be spent for providing educational loans, microcredit schemes and the construction of community halls. Another 15 crore would be set aside for the renovation of churches.

According to sources, a committee headed by Minority Welfare Minister Mumtaz Ali Khan with the help of Christian leaders will draw up plans for the spending on schemes and renovation of churches.

About 1,000 registered churches will reportedly come under the renovation scheme.

This apparently is the first time the Karnataka government has taken such an initiative.

Chief Minister Yeddyurappa had earlier announced the allocation of the amount in his 2011-12 budget.

The move however is seen as a desperate attempt to appease Christians in the backdrop of growing violence and the government's failure to prevent harassment of Christians in the state.

An independent inquiry into the 2008 church attacks in Karnataka recently accused the chief minister and the then home minister for abetting and facilitating atrocities on the Christian community.

The inquiry by former Karnataka High Court judge MF Saldanha was taken up after a government-appointed panel earlier this year absolved the BJP and Sangh Parivar of all blame.

Civil society groups have held various protests condemning the 'systematic' attacks against Christians and have demanded the arrest of Sangh elements causing communal disharmony.