Bangalore: Appoint Chairman for Christian Devt Board - IFKCA Urges CM
By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Bangalore (RD/CN)
Bangalore, Aug 24: Christian leaders led by Ronald Colaco, chairman, International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA), met chief minister (CM) D V Sadananda Gowda at his official residence on Wednesday August 24.
Higher education minister Dr V S Acharya was also present during the meeting.
Colaco submitted a memorandum to Gowda seeking further enhancement and all-round development of the state and at the same time creation of a good environment for communal harmony under his stewardship.
The memorandum sought constitution of a Christian Development Board, appointment of a chairman and 12 members giving due representation to different denominations of the Christian community and regions on priority basis, as five months have lapsed following the allocation of Rs 50 crore, even though there is a provision to disburse this amount through the Minority Development Board.
The delegation also urged the CM to instruct all concerned departments to expedite the process of withdrawal of cases against Christian youth following the Church attacks in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and other districts, for cabinet approval.
Colaco explained that IFKCA had been following up the matter for more than two years by meeting the former chief minister, home minister, higher education minister, principal secretary, concerned police commissioners, IGP, and various jurisdictional police station chiefs. The matter was also taken up with former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa during L K Advani’s attendance at a Konkani programme held in Mangalore. As a result, the files pertaining to the cases have been dispatched from the office of the Mangalore city police commissioner on April 5, 2011 and are under review at the office of the additional DGP - Law and Order, here.
The CM stated that he would ensure the withdrawal of cases through cabinet approval on a priority basis. He stated that it was painful to hear every time that the unfortunate church attacks are connected to the BJP, even though the party never indulged in such heinous acts. Gowda said that some people with vested interests had joined Mahindra Kumar and attempted to tarnish the image of the BJP and now he has joined JD(S).
The CM assured the delegation that he would constitute the Christian Development Board very soon and appoint a suitable Chairman and members from the Christian community giving due representation to all.
The Christian delegation comprised Grace Pinto, managing director of Ryan International Group, Christian leader Felix D’Souza Taccode, Konkani Catholic Federation president Valerian Fernandes, IFKCA general secretary Michael Baptist, state convener Dennis D’Silva, other Christian leaders Rons Bantwal, Arun Mendes, Charles Gomes, Stephen Mendes, Nigel Colaco, Florence Mendes, Anil Rego, Ida D’Cunha, Agnes D’Souza, Udupi IFKCA president Louis Lobo, vice-president PrashantJathanna Stanley K, and Joylas Taccode.