It is unfortunate that in a state where peoplecannot even afford square meals a day, the Government headed by aChristian fundamentalist chief minister is misusing people's money topay each Christian pilgrim to visit Jerusalem. The amount paid to each Christian visitor is enough to feed a poor child for 2 years) source: Deccan Chronicle, June 15, 2008Hyderabad, June 14.
State government is finalising the guidelines to Holy Land Yatra to Israel for Christians on the lines of Haj Pilgrimage. Only white card holders are to be made eligible under the scheme forwhich government earlier gave the nod for financial assistence.
The Minorities Welfare Department will be soon coming out with the guidelines afterconsultation with AP Federation of Churches sources said. Christiansholding white cards will be given preference on first cum first servebasis and those who are above 50 years will be given financialassistance.Church authorities and lay groups asked the government to sanction Rs20,000 to each pilgrim on par with Haj Pilgrims. As per the schedule thepilgrimage covers Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Jordan River, placesaround dead sea and Sea of Galilee and several other places connected to Christian faith. A group of 50 to 100 pilgrims will be visiting the HolyLand."Mainly the tour is for a week and charges would be around Rs 55,000 toRs 65,000 depending on accommodation and facilities provided by travelagent. It is proposed to limit the period to five days in Israelexcluding the travel to reduce the cost to Rs 45,000 in which governmentwill bear Rs 20,000 and the rest will be borne by the pilgrims," Fr TAnthony Raj, Executive Secretary of AP Federation of Churches, said.The state government already sanctioned Rs 2 crore and at least 1000pilgrims will be benefited.
Advisor to the Government and former South Central Railway, GM Mr T. Stanley Babu, is also part of the team finalising the guidelines. An official of Minorities Welfare Department said "The pilgrim shallproduced SSC certificate which shows that he is a Christian. Even theMRO certificate stating that the person is a bonafide Christian willalso be valid. The applicants should possess a valid passport with aminimum validity period of two years at the time of applying." Ascreening committee with five members including officials from MinorityWelfare Department, AP State Minorities Commission, AP MinoritiesFinance Corporation and representative from the church bodies.
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