(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, it shall be the primary duty of the Corporation to undertake the task of social and economical uplift of the Scheduled Castes in the State of Gujarat, and the Corporation shall be competent to do all things and to exercise all the powers necessary for the performance of such duties.
Functions and powers of corporation.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such power of the Corporation shall include the power-
(i) to plan and promote, on its own or in collaboration with or through such Scheduled Castes organisations or other agencies as may be approved by the Corporation, any programme of agricultural development, marketing, processing, supply and storage of agricultural produce, smallscale industry, building construction, transport and such other activities as may be approved in this behalf by the State Government;
(ii) to undertake, on its own or in collaboration whether through such Scheduled Castes Organisations or other agencies as may be approved by the Corporation, any activity in relation to any of the matters specified in clause (i), for furthering the objects of the Corporation;
(iii) to give on hire agricultural or industrial machinery or equipments to the members of the Scheduled Castes Organisations;
(iv) to give grants and subsidies to and to guarantee loans taken by the members of Scheduled Castes Organisations;
(v) to encourage employment opportunities for the member of the Scheduled Castes;
1. Sub-section (2) was substituted for the original by Guj. 21 of 1986, s.3(3)(a).
2. These words were substituted for the words "the Chairman or, in his absence, "ibid., s.3(3)(b).
6 THE GUJARAT SCHEDULED CASTES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ACT, 1985. [1985 : Guj. 10
(vi) to undertake any other activity which the State Government may entrust to the Corporation;
(vii) to grant loans or obtain covered loans to members of the Scheduled Castes;
(viii) to borrow money subject to such conditions as the State Government may specify;
(ix) to issue bonds and debentures;
(x) to draw, make, accept, endorse, discount, execute and issue promissory notes, bills of exchange, hundis, bills, warrants, debentures and other negotiable instruments;
(xi) to invest or deposit surplus funds of the Corporation in Government securities or in such other manner as the State Government may, by general or special order, direct; and
(xii) to discharge such other functions as may be prescribed or as are supplemental, incidental or consequential to any of the functions conferred on it by or under this Act.
CHAPTER IV.
Finance, Accounts and Audit.
State Government to provide Initial Capital.