Kerala - Alappuzha   

Government-diocese talks inconclusive

ALAPPUZHA: The talks between the State government and the Alappuzha diocese of the Catholic Church (Latin rite) ended on an inconclusive note here on Sunday night with no major decisions being taken on the demands put forward by the diocese.

Bishop of Alappuzha Stephen Athipozhiyil, who represented the diocese in the talks, which had Revenue Minister K.P. Rajendran and Cooperation Minister G. Sudhakaran from the government’s side, told the media later that the diocese was not “100 per cent satisfied” with the outcome.

“Though the government has responded positively to most of our demands, there has been no concrete decision on several key points.” The Ministers said they did not have the authority to take a decision on redefining revenue villages as revenue wards. They said that decisions would be taken in two weeks after they discussed the issue in the Cabinet, diocese officials said.

The Bishop, though he welcomed the “positive approach” of the government, said the agitation would not be called off. “We will wait for two weeks and if there are no positive decisions, the agitation will be intensified,” he said.

Mr. Rajendran, speaking to reporters, said the government did not have second thoughts about correcting any anomalies that had crept in while officials prepared the lists of tsunami beneficiaries.

“One of the major points that the diocese raised was the inclusion of aided schools for tsunami rehabilitation funds. The government has written to the Union government for a clarification on this and only after that can we say anything concretely on the issue. The rest of the issues will be discussed in the Cabinet,” he said.

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