Kasaragod (Keralam) | Thalassery Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church Joseph Pamplany has said that an official recommended by the Church had been appointed as secretary to Revenue Minister A P Anil Kumar.
He was speaking at a meeting organised by the Thalassery Archdiocese at Vellarikundu Forane here, with the Revenue Minister also present on the dais on Sunday.
Pamplany said Kumar was among the ministers most receptive to the concerns of high-range farmers and responded sympathetically to their demands.
He said when a delegation of bishops met the minister, they had requested him to appoint an official acceptable to them to his staff to help resolve land-related issues in the high ranges.
"The minister told us to suggest any official working in the Revenue Department who was acceptable to us and assured us that he would appoint that person. I initially thought it was just a polite assurance. However, he appointed the person we recommended as his secretary," Pamplany said.
He said the Church wanted someone in the minister's office who understood the land-related issues faced by farmers in the high ranges, as these were among their fundamental concerns.
Pamplany has been vocal about land-related issues in the high ranges, farmers' concerns and human-wildlife conflicts.
In 2023, he sparked controversy by saying that the Church would help the BJP elect a Member of Parliament from the state if the Centre increased the rubber support price to Rs 300 per kg.
