Rs 51 Crore to Be Credited on Decembe 24 towards honorarium to pastors
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called upon people to follow the path shown by Jesus Christ which include love, peace and service. He said that the present government extended welfare and financial support to the Christian community.
The Chief Minister participated in the Semi-Christmas celebrations organised by the State Government at A Plus Convention Centre in Vijayawada today.
The Chief Minister cut the Christmas cake and later lit candles.
Addressing the gathering, he said he was happy to take part in the Christmas celebrations. Christmas marks the birth of Lord Jesus Christ and is one of the greatest festivals celebrated across the world.
He stated that an amount of Rs 22 crore has been spent exclusively for the Christian community, benefiting 44,812 Christian brothers and sisters through various welfare schemes. Honorarium of Rs 5,000 each per month is being paid to 8,427 pastors across the State. From May 2024 to November 2024, a total of Rs 30 crore has been released. From December 2024 to November 2025, Rs 51 crore will be credited into pastors’ accounts on December 24, the Chief Minister announced.
The coalition government is committed to the welfare of Christians and will stand by them in employment and economic empowerment. He said between 2014 and 2018, Rs 70 crore was sanctioned for 977 churches, of which construction of 377 churches has been completed. During the current tenure, Rs 10 crore was spent for the construction of a Christian Bhavan in Guntur. The government has taken responsibility to release additional funds and complete the Christian Bhavan this year.
Financial assistance is also being provided to Christian brothers and sisters undertaking the Jerusalem pilgrimage.
The Chief Minister said Christian institutions have always been at the forefront of social service. The services rendered by Christian schools, colleges and hospitals over decades are invaluable and have transformed the lives of lakhs of people. Many who studied in missionary institutions have gone on to occupy high positions. Missionary educational institutions stand as centres of discipline, service and knowledge.
Institutions such as Andhra Christian College, Guntur, and Andhra Loyola College have contributed immensely to the progress of countless individuals in the State. Even NTR studied in a missionary college, he recalled.
Stating that the coalition government’s goal is a society free from poverty, the Chief Minister said the government is moving forward with a clear and well-defined plan to achieve this objective.
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