the goan I network
PANAJI
Representatives of Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and urged him to extend the one-time-settlement (OTS) scheme and also requested him to look into several issues barge owners are facing with banks when they opt for OTS scheme. Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha was also part of the meeting.
Raymond Desa, president, GBOA, said, "The last date for OTS scheme is December 31. We have requested CM Parrikar to extend the scheme. Under this scheme, banks give a 30% discount on loans taken by barge owners and give 100% interest waiver. Rs 125 crore of principal is still outstanding on loans taken by barge owners from the banks."
The OTS scheme was notified to help those truck owners and barge owners, who were unable to pay their loans because mining was banned in the state in 2012. Such truck/barge owners heavily depended upon mining for livelihood and they found it almost impossible to make their ends meet when mining was banned.
Desa continued, "We are facing many other issues with the banks as well, which we have urged Parrikar to look into. For example, some banks charge interest on barge loans even during OTS period, which they can't do. State Bank of India and nationalised banks give 30% discount on principal amount to settle loans under OTS scheme, but certain co-operative banks are not doing so. We have made a representation to Parrikar on this issue as well."
Desa even informed that certain banks are auctioning the mortgaged properties of those barge owners, whose loans are outstanding. He continued, "This can't happen because OTS scheme is in effect."
In their representation to Parrikar, barge owners also mentioned that barge tax should be basis the number of trips they make. As of now, barge owners have to pay a fixed sum every quarter as tax.
Barge owners have requested that barge tax should be Re 1 per tonne per trip on the movement of iron ore and not a fixed sum.
Mining might have resumed in the state, but exports of iron ore have come down due to multiple reasons. Due to this, barge-owners don't have the kind of business they had in pre-2012 era. It is in this context that they demanded that barge tax should be fixed on per trip basis.
PANAJI
Representatives of Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) met Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and urged him to extend the one-time-settlement (OTS) scheme and also requested him to look into several issues barge owners are facing with banks when they opt for OTS scheme. Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha was also part of the meeting.
Raymond Desa, president, GBOA, said, "The last date for OTS scheme is December 31. We have requested CM Parrikar to extend the scheme. Under this scheme, banks give a 30% discount on loans taken by barge owners and give 100% interest waiver. Rs 125 crore of principal is still outstanding on loans taken by barge owners from the banks."
The OTS scheme was notified to help those truck owners and barge owners, who were unable to pay their loans because mining was banned in the state in 2012. Such truck/barge owners heavily depended upon mining for livelihood and they found it almost impossible to make their ends meet when mining was banned.
Desa continued, "We are facing many other issues with the banks as well, which we have urged Parrikar to look into. For example, some banks charge interest on barge loans even during OTS period, which they can't do. State Bank of India and nationalised banks give 30% discount on principal amount to settle loans under OTS scheme, but certain co-operative banks are not doing so. We have made a representation to Parrikar on this issue as well."
Desa even informed that certain banks are auctioning the mortgaged properties of those barge owners, whose loans are outstanding. He continued, "This can't happen because OTS scheme is in effect."
In their representation to Parrikar, barge owners also mentioned that barge tax should be basis the number of trips they make. As of now, barge owners have to pay a fixed sum every quarter as tax.
Barge owners have requested that barge tax should be Re 1 per tonne per trip on the movement of iron ore and not a fixed sum.
Mining might have resumed in the state, but exports of iron ore have come down due to multiple reasons. Due to this, barge-owners don't have the kind of business they had in pre-2012 era. It is in this context that they demanded that barge tax should be fixed on per trip basis.
