Bhatkal: The Minority Welfare and Development Department sanctioned 50 lakhs for the renovation of age-old Bailore church situated at Bailore grama in Bhatkal.

Mankal Vaidya handed over the cheque to Father Lawrence D'Silva on Friday morning, he said: "For the first time in Uttara Kannada district, a huge amount of cash was sanctioned for the church's renovation."

He also expressed his wish about the unity and inter-religious harmony among the people of Bhatkal. 

He assured that the funds will be sanctioned to four Jain temples and twelve churches soon. Even the 8 temples will be developed, he added.

Adminstrative secretary of the church Valvi D'Souza, Basvaraj Balgeer of District Minority Department, president of taluk panchayat Ishwar Naik, chairman of standing committee Vishnu Devadiga, zilla panchayat member Sindhu Bhaskar Naik, president of Bailore grama panchayat Manjunath Naik, Gauri Devadiga and others were present.