A delegation of Christian and Muslim leaders in Odisha on February 13 met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to thank him for sanctioning funds to improve pilgrimage centres in the eastern Indian State.

A day earlier, Patnaik sanctioned 160 million rupees to minority religious institutions which will be disbursed by the state’s Special Problem Fund during the financial year of 2019-2020.

The money is to improve amenities at pilgrimage centres, such as building community halls. The delegation that met Patnaik comprised around 60 representatives of Christian and Muslim communities.

“We are grateful to you for the concern and financial support for the development of pilgrim amenities,” Fr Prasanna Pradhan vicar general of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar told Patnaik on behalf of the Christian community in the state. The chief minister also granted 10 million rupees each to the Kendrapara Fakirabad Markaji Masjid, Bhadrak Puruna Bazar Jama Masjid, Sambalpur Paltan Masjid, Sambalpur Saint Joseph’s Cathedral (Catholic), Berhampur Bhapur Bazar Jamia Masjid, Giriroad Berhampur Odia Baptist Church, Rourkela Bishop Missionary (Catholic) and Rajgangpur Sunni Jama Masjid.