Deccan Chronicle Hyderabad, Dec. 18: The State government would consider a subsidy for Christians to travel to Bethlehem, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy said on Monday. Responding to Hyderabad Archbishop Marampudi Joji%u2019s request at the United Christmas Celebrations, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy assured that the government would study the possibility and financial implications of such a subsidy. At present, the government subsidises Muslim pilgrims to perform the Haj. Bishop Joji said, %u201CI visited the holy land and prayed at the place where Jesus was born. I request the government to assist Christians to fulfil their wish of making a pilgrimage to the holy land by subsiding the cost to some extent.%u201D Dr Reddy replied, %u201CThe government is allotting a budget for construction of churches in towns and villages. While increasing the allocation we can adjust some money.%u201D On the issue of dalit Christians, Bishop Joji said, %u201CDalit Christians should be given SC status. I request the Chief Minister to get a resolution passed in the Assembly, as the UP Assembly has done, and send the recommendation to the Prime Minister, as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has done.%u201D Dr Reddy assured that he would examine the proposal. Bishop Sugandhar, legislator Christine Lazarus among others took part in the celebrations.
