Christians get lion’s share of funds in budget

Amaravati: The Telugu Desam government has allocated more than Rs 1,100 crore in Budget 2018-19 for minorities in the state compared to previous allocation of Rs 840 crore. This is roughly around 31 per cent higher than the previous financial year budget.

For instance, the government earmarked Rs 75 crore for AP State Christian Finance Corporation in 2018-19 budget against Rs 35 crore in 2017-18 budget allocations.

The abnormal raise in the budget for Christian minority could be attributed directly to TDP giving more priority to Dalits and Christians in the state and the promises given to the community by Chandrababu Naidu at various times in the last four months, particularly from Christmas.

The TDP is expecting more voting from Christians in the coming general elections and hence increased the budget allocations, observed senior MLA of the ruling party.

TDP also organised a Dalitha Tejam programme to attract the Dalits and Christians in the state recently. While presenting the budget, finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu quoted a saying of renowned English historian, John Dalberg-Acton, “The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities.”

The government provided enhanced credit support for economic activities including self-employment and upgradation of skills through technical training. Overseas Education Scheme for minorities provides financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh per student. 

During 2018-19, the allocation under this scheme is proposed to be raised from Rs 5 crore to Rs 30 crore. The allocation for Dulhan Scheme is proposed to be increased from Rs 60 crore to Rs 80 crore.

An amount of Rs 150 crore was proposed as subsidy for Bank Linked Income Generated Scheme as against Rs 100 crore in 2017-18 budget. Despite suffering with deficit budget, Chandrababu Naidu ensured increased budget for Christians in the state, observed TDP MLA Phillip C Tocher, the Anglo-Indian Community representative in the Legislative Assembly. Andhra Pradesh is only state in India which is sending Christian pilgrimage to the holy place Jerusalem.

By Sambasiva Rao M