Goa loan subsidy scheme extended, will also be amended: Min

Goa Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai today said that the government's "one time scheme", which provides subsidy on loan repayments, would be amended to help people affected by the closure of mining here since March 16.

The scheme, launched in August 2014, provides a subsidy of 35 per cent on the principal loan amount to affected people, 40 per cent to truck owners and 30 per cent to barge owners.

Its term was to end at midnight today and the minister informed that it had been extended for another six months till September 30 this year.

He however refused to divulge details of the amendment the government had proposed.

"The scheme would be amended considering the fact that those who are repaying the loan by selling their homes and properties should be given financial relief," he said.

The state has so far processed 4,000 applications under the scheme and has disbursed Rs 121 crore, officials said.