Goa govt to notify OTS for mining dependents tomorrow

Goa government will notify tomorrow a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for mining dependent people, wherein they will be offered subsidy up to 35 per cent on their loans.
The scheme would benefit truck, barge and mining machinery owners, who are reeling under debt since the halt of iron ore extraction activity in the state two years back, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters today.
"The scheme would be notified tomorrow with all the details. After the scheme is notified, the banks will have to send their OTS proposals to the state government, then we will approve the amount," Parrikar said.

He was talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the swearing-in of Goa Governor Mridula Sinha at Raj Bhawan.
The scheme, which is being given final touches, will pay 35 per cent of the OTS amount, with a ceiling of Rs 15 lakh for truck owners, Rs 25 lakh for mining machinery owners and Rs 35 lakh for barge owners, he said.
The state government has calculated Rs 330 crore as liability for it through this scheme.
"But the actual amount would be less as everyone won't opt for the scheme. The maximum amount that the state will have to pay is Rs 200 crore," Parrikar said.

The government estimates that about 8,000 people would benefit from the scheme.