Separate dept for Christian minorities in AP

Hyderabad, Jul 18 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today agreed to a proposal to create a separate department for Christian minorities in the State on the lines of the Minorities Welfare Department to look into issues concering them.

The Chief Minister, while reviewing the issues of Christian minorities, also decided to constitute a separate Finance Corporation for Christians, according to an official release here.

Dr Reddy also agreed to help those Christians who visit the Holy land on the lines of Muslims visiting Mecca. Christians could now file applications for the pilgrimage and preference would be given to white card holders. The Pilgrims, to be sent in batches, would be given all assistance as in the case of Haj Pilgrimage.

He directed the officials to ensure that the first batch left for the Holy land next month itself. It was also decided that mass marriages would be arranged for Christian and Muslim minorities on the lines of Kalyanamastu under the aegis of the State Govenment and poor couples would be paid Rs 15,000 towards marriage expenses.

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