Kerala State Development Corporation for Christian Converts from Scheduled Castes and the Recommended Communities is a Government of Kerala undertaking located at Kottayam which provides financial help to Christian converts.
History
The body was incorporated in 1980[1] under the Companies Act 1956 and lists its main objectives as "to promote the comprehensive social, educational, cultural and economic upliftment and other living conditions of the Christian Converts from Scheduled Castes and the Recommended Communities".[2]
Welfare schemes
The body provides micro-financing, marketing support for various products manufactured as part of the schemes at its margin-free shops and free scholarships exclusively for students belonging to Christian converts from Scheduled Castes and the Recommended Communities.[citation needed]
In 2010, A.K. Balan the Minister of Welfare of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes launched a loan waiver scheme which waived off ₹159 crore loans of one lakh people.[3]
Constitutional validity
Critics have labelled the body in "complete violation of the Constitution" for discriminating on religious grounds violating secular constitution of India.[4]
References
- ^ "Kerala State Development Corporation for Christian Converts from Scheduled Castes and the Recommended communities Ltd. - Government of Kerala, India". Kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
- ^ "KERALA STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR CHRISTIAN CONVERTS FROM SCHEDULED CASTES AND THE RECOMMENDED COMMUNITIES LTD". Kerala.gov.in. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
- ^ "Welfare schemes for Christian converts - KERALA". The Hindu. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
- ^ "Loan Waiver Scheme for Christian Converts: State-Sponsored Conversions by Kerala State Govt". Patheos.com. 15 June 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2016.