Pics : Joshwa D' Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)
Mangaluru, Jun 3: MLC Ivan D' Souza, who is also the member of Karnataka state minority commission, has advised the students belonging to minorities, especially the Christian community to make use of various scholarships of the state government.
Addressing the media persons in his office on Friday, June 3, he urged the students of the community to benefit by government scholarships since the admissions to the professional courses have begun and there are very few takers compared to the population of the Christian community. “Economically backward students who want to pursue professional courses like B Com, B Sc etc can apply for government aid. The government usually reimburses the fees to the students or pays straight to the college,” he said.
“The state government has provided Rs 1,200 crore to the state minority department and Rs 125 crore for Christian Development Parishad. The people of minority community can avail the benefits from these grants by applying for Svavalambana, Shrama Shakti, Arivu, Gangakalyana, Kirusala and home loans before June 30. Monetary help is provided on receipt of applications for renovation of churches and cemetery, destitute care centres, HIV care centres and construction of community halls. The government provides Rs 1 crore if the community hall is to be constructed in urban limits and Rs 50 lac if it is in rural areas,” he added.
"Programmes are scheduled at Belthangady Holy Redeemer church and Kirem church hall on June 5 and June 19 respectively to create awareness about various government schemes. Officials have visited district centres in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kalaburgi etc under my leadership to train the resource persons. A sum of Rs 1,730 lac has been distributed among 73,335 beneficiaries under various schemes with 100 percent achievement in the 2015-16 financial year.
"An officer has also been outsourced to train the minority department officials. To create awareness about the various schemes, programmes have been organised at Ashoknagar church 9.30 am and Holy Redeemer Church Beltangady at 3 pm on June 5 and at Kirem Church Hall at 8.30 am 19 June.” he concluded.