Mangaluru: As the new Vice-President of Christian development committee of Karnataka minority development, Haj and Wakf department, Ivan D’Souza has been elected with immediate effect from September 24.

Addressing the press reporters on Thursday, he said that Tanverr Sait. Minister for primary and secondary education is the President of the committee. The grant of the committee has reached to Rs 125 crore form Rs 50 crore. It has implemented developmental schemes like scholarships, subsidy, loan and many other schemes.

“The number of beneficiaries is very less; it might be because of lack of awareness. Many programmes were conducted in Bidar, Gulbarga, Yadgiri, Raichur, Bellary, Mangaluru, Udupi and other districts to create awareness regarding the schemes. There is a demand for the formation of Christian Development Corporation and to allot Rs 300 crore per year,” he said.

He further said that a new building is being constructed at Pandeshwar to bring all minority offices under one roof. Rs 2 crore is being invested on the building. The committee has requested the government to approve Rs 1.25 crore more.