ASIA/INDIA - Aid to religious minorities and Dalits from the government of Orissa

Friday, 14 February 2020 religious minorities dalit poverty solidarity civil society politics human rights

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Bhubaneswar (Agenzia Fides) - The government of the state of Orissa, led by Prime Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik, has allocated 16 million Indian rupees (over 200 thousand euros) as a special contribution to religious and social institutions of Christian and Muslim religious minorities present in the State, also in order to create structures for the pilgrims of the community. As Fides learns, the funds will be paid by the "Special Problem Fund", a state fund dedicated to interventions in situations of particular need.
About 60 representatives of the Christian and Muslim community met with Prime Minister Naveen Patnaik on February 13, expressing "gratitude for the financial support for the development of minorities", said Mgr. Prasanna Pradhan, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhuabaneswar, on behalf of the Christian community of Orissa. Various Muslim and Christian institutes will benefit from it, including the community of Missionaries of Charity. "The Sisters of Mother Teresa are grateful to Naveen Patnaik for having named a road to Mother Teresa on September 4, 2016. In the name of our saint, we will continue to offer our contribution to humanity through service and charity to others", said Rangina Kerketta, Superior of the Missionaries of Charity in Bhubaneswar.
The government of Orissa has also issued another provision of the government that has set up a special Commission for the disadvantaged classes, an organization dedicated to the specific work of finding ways for the social, economic and cultural promotion of backward populations, the poor, the outcasts, Dalits who, according to official data, make up 54% of the total population of the state. The Commission will mainly promote the education and vocational training path among the poorest and weakest social groups in the state of Orissa. (PN-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 14/2/2020)