The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has expressed its opposition to the State government move to entrust the Public Service Commission with appointment of teachers to aided schools.

Speaking to media persons at the Catholicate Palace on Wednesday, Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Diascoros, secretary of the Church synod, said the Church would never support any move which would in effect be an infringement on the rights of the management.

There was already a system in place which had been functioning properly.

When his attention was called to the high fees being finalised for programmes in self-financing professional professional colleges, the Metropolitan said the fees were finalised on the basis of the apex court directive in this regard this regard which had done away with cross subsidisation. “Under the present circumstances all students, whether coming from rich or poor background, would have to pay the same fee. While the institutions would not be affected negatively, the Church has taken note of the fact that this would have an adverse effect on meritorious students from poor background,” he said.

Course correction

The Church which had expressed its total allegiance to the LDF government after Pinarayi Vijayan took office as Chief Minister, appears to have taken a course correction making it clear that while it welcomed all the good things that have been done by the State government, it was not ready to make any comment on the performance of the government.

Asked about the Sabha Case and the approach to the issue by the LDF and UDF governments, the Metropolitan said the only contention of the Church on the issue was to get its legitimate rights implemented based on the Church Constitution of 1932 and the Final Decree from the Apex Court in 1995.

On capitation fee

Meanwhile, Lay Trusty George Paul, reacting to a question said any incidence of capitation fee being charged by any individual for admission, if brought to the attention of the MOC Management would be seriously dealt with.

Going green

Meanwhile Metropolitan Geevarghese Mar Yulios of the Diocese of Ahmedabad said the Church had decided to develop its parishes as eco-friendly parishes and green churches. Directives had been issued to establish rainwater harvesting units in all parish churches and residences of church members.

The supreme head of the Church Catholicos and Malankara Metropolitan Baselius Mar Thoma Paulos II was present.