News: Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Panaji, Jan 19:  A delegation of members of Catholic community met Shantaram Naik, M P and demanded that he should take up with Government the issue of granting subsidy to the members of Christian Community intending to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

The delegation was led by Nelson Lopes of Chinchinim, accompanied by the general secretary of Goa PCC, Altinho Gomes. The delegation contended that the cost of undertaking the journey is very high and that average member of the community cannot afford such a journey.

They said that Jerusalem is a very significant site and that it is rightly called The Holy Land, and that, the history of catholic religion is rooted there as it was the birth place of Lord Jesus.

The delegation recalled that Naik had met the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh along with a delegation of MPs belonging to Christian community, and therefore, they feel that Naik should reiterate the demand before the PM.

In response Naik told the delegation that he would certainly try to take up the matter with the Government but, there are some legal hurdles as of now since a scheme of the Andhra Pradesh Government providing for such a subsidy has been stayed by the Supreme Court.

Naik advised the delegation to take up the matter with the Goa Government too so that if the court stay operating at present is vacated, the Goa government can also think of a scheme for the purpose, though to a limited extent considering the financial constraints of the State Government. Other members of the delegation included  Agnivo Martins, Willy D’Silva and  Jesus Viegas.