Cabinet’s in-principle nod for J.B. Koshy Commission report

The Cabinet on Tuesday accepted in principle the report of the J.B. Koshy Commission appointed to study the educational, economic, and welfare issues of Christian minorities in Kerala.

Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, which finalised decisions on 32 more recommendations, also decided to publish the report.

A major decision taken on Tuesday pertains to the issuance of community cerificates to Latin Catholics. The year 1947 will henceforth not be a criterion for issuing the caste/community certificate. At present, only those members of the Latin Catholic Community who were born before 1947 and their descendants were eligible for the certificate.

This condition has now been evaluated as unscientific. Henceforth, certificates issued by the Bishops concerned will be regarded as a supporting document for verification by revenue officials and the local inspection by village officer for issuing the community certificate.

Reacting to Tuesday’s development, the Kerala Latin Catholic Association (KLCA) welcomed the government decision to publish the commission report. It reflects partial fulfiment of the KLCA efforts to get the report published and the recommendations implemented after discussions with stakeholders, KLCA State president Sherry J. Thomas said.