Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday sanctioned Rs 16 crore for the development of religious institutions of minorities, including the Muslims. The funds will be utilised for creation of pilgrim amenities and community halls.

Patnaik’s secular image is under threat following his support to a number of schemes, including the CAA of the Narendra Modi government. The decision to reach out to the minorities came just a day after the BJP got defeated at the hands of the AAP in New Delhi.

Earlier the Patnaik government launched a number of schemes for the development of temples such as Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Sun Temple at Konark, Tara Tarini Temple in Ganjam, Jagannath Temple in Baripada and several others.

According to the media release issued by the chief minister’s office on Wednesday, the amount will be provided to the religious institutions of minorities from the special problem funds.

According to the decision, Jesus Christ Church in Satyanagar in Bhubaneswar, Mother Mary Bhubaneswar Catholic Church and Cuttack Odia Baptist Church in Mission Road will get Rs 2 crore each. Similarly Unit-IV Capital Masjid in Bhubaneswar and Kadam-e-Rasool Masjid at Cuttack will receive Rs 2 crore each.

Besides, several other mosques and churches will be provided with Rs 1 crore each for the development of amenities and community hall in their respective institutions.