The State has been witnessing an unprecedented scale of relief measures under the present Government, said Minister of Welfare of Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes A.K. Balan.

In his address at the inauguration of the loan waiver scheme, undertaken by the Kerala State Development Corporation for Christian Converts from Scheduled Castes and the Recommended Communities Ltd. here on Thursday, Mr. Balan said the current loan waiver scheme would write off Rs.159 crore and this would benefit nearly one lakh people, mostly belonging to the poorest sections of the society, he said.

“This government has been, wholeheartedly, supportive of those who have been deprived of their basic needs and the State has led the way in terms of relief measures for the poorer sections of the society,” added Mr. Balan.

Under the debt waiver scheme for the Christian Converts, loans up to Rs.25,000 maturing on 31 March 2006 would be written off fully. In cases where the loan amount exceeds the stipulated amount, penal interest part would be written off, providing the persons with an opportunity to avail a one time benefit.

V.N. Vasavan, MLA, in his presidential address, highlighted the efforts of the State Government in protecting the needy. Commending the initiatives of the Government, Archbishop Vattappara of the Anglican Church of India requested those who avail the relief measures to reduce dependency on the assistance and to fully utilize the opportunities provided to improve living standards.

Non-liability certificates were distributed to the debt-ridden during the function.

The event was also attended by Jose K. Mani, MP, District Panchayat President T.N. Rameshan and Municipal Chairperson Bindu Santhosh Kumar.