Schools for spl kids eligible for Goa govt's loan scheme: CM

The Goa government today decided to extend the benefits of its flagship scheme providing loan to the schools to develop infrastructure, to the institutions imparting education to special children.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said the decision to include in the scheme the schools providing education to special children was taken during the cabinet meeting today.
The scheme, to help the schools create infrastructure by providing loan, was introduced in 2015 under which grant up to Rs 1 to 2 crore is provided to the institutions.
"But unfortunately, at that time schools imparting education to special children were left out of the eligibility criteria," Parrikar said.

There are 22 schools working for special children which will now be able to take benefit of the scheme, he said.
"The Goa cabinet took the decision to extend the scheme to these schools working for special children. No new application of the school in general category (other than school for special children) would be entertained," the chief minister said.
The state government will modify the scheme next month after holding consultations with the stakeholders, who will deliberate on requirements of the special children.
The loan amount provided under the scheme can be used to create or improve infrastructure, like construction or renovation of school building, toilets, hostel, playground and other such purposes.