Mangaluru Sep 29, 2016: Chief Whip of Legislative Council Ivan D’Souza has been appointed as Vice President of Christian Development Council by Minorities Welfare Department.
Informing this to reporters at his office at MCC on September 29, Thursday Ivan D’Souza said that Christian Development Council was first started in 2011 starting with a subsidy of Rs. 50 crores. At present, it is receiving a subsidy of Rs. 150 crores.
He also said that the Council is planning to conduct skill development programme and will strive for the effective implementation of Vidyasiri scheme and Bidayi scheme. It will also construct community hall and provide scholarships, while also chalking out many more schemes for the welfare of Christian Community.
"During my visit to remote areas in North Karnataka, I had noticed that several Christian community people are deprived of education. In this backdrop, training centres and hostels will set up in every district, so that students get enrolled to pursue education," said Ivan.
During the year 2014-15 total of Rs 11 Crores funds meant for welfare of minorities has benefitted 5508 members of minority communities, while in the year 2015-16, a total of Rs 15 Crores has been allocated and this fund has benefitted 11,231 people, Ivan said. During the year 2016-17 till September end, 343 members of minority community have benefitted from the Rs 5.82 crore funds that have been sanctioned, he stated.
Ivan informed that so far he has succeeded in getting released government funds to the tune of Rs 7.73 crores for the welfare of the needy.