By Matters India Reporter
New Delhi, Dec. 21, 2018: Construction of 95 million toilets, distribution of 58 million LPG cylinders and opening of 300 million bank accounts for the poor are among the achievements of the Modi government, according to K J Alphons, the only Christian in the federal cabinet.
In a letter to more than 300 bishops of various denominations in the country, the federal Minister of State for Tourism listed ten achievements since the Modi government assumed office in May 2014.
“Happy Christmas. May the peace and joy of the Lord be with you and your diocese. More than ever, the world needs to get together, and not build walls. I take this opportunity to place on record the good services being rendered by the Church in the field of education, health care and welfare of the downtrodden,” said Alphons, considered the Christian face of the federal coalition government headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
“It has been my privilege to serve the people of India as the Minister of Tourism under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister. In all humility, kindly permit me to list some of the things Modi government has done for the downtrodden,” Alphons added.
The list also includes the construction of 26.3 million houses for the poor, free medical treatment up to 500,000 rupees, and life insurance policies and accident cover of 200,000 rupees.
Sources close to the minister said that he writes to the bishops before every Christmas, however, this time around with elections round the corner, Alphons has made a special effort to reach out to the community.
“Whenever the Church had an issue, I have taken it up with the appropriate authorities and most often we have been able to find a solution,” the minister said in the letter.