PANAJI
The Goa Cabinet on Wednesday extended the Debt Relief Scheme for mining‑affected borrowers until 2027, a year when the State heads to the polls.
The move ensures continued financial support for families and businesses hit by the iron ore mining ban, and carries clear political weight as the government seeks to reassure a constituency undergoing economic disruption for long.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who chaired the meeting, said the extension was aimed at providing stability to borrowers who have struggled since mining operations had halted way back in 2012.
“This is to sustain relief to them and ensure that the affected families are not left struggling,” he said.
The scheme, first introduced to cushion the impact of the mining ban had been extended multiple times and will now remain in force for yet another year. It covers loans taken from financial institutions by those who were dependent on mining, mostly truck owners and machinery leasing contractors.
New vehicle tax
Alongside the debt relief decision, the Cabinet also cleared the Goa Motor Vehicle Tax Amendment Ordinance 2026 which introduced a one‑time tax at the time of registration for construction equipment vehicles, replacing the recurring tax system.
The change is expected to simplify compliance and bring clarity for stakeholders in the construction sector. Officials said, it is aimed at efficiency and improving the ease of doing business in the construction sector.
Library reforms
The Cabinet also approved the Goa State Library Policy 2024–34, which seeks to strengthen library infrastructure, promote reading habits, and ensure the availability of books for competitive examinations.
It also addresses service‑related issues of librarians and proposes upgrades to their training, an initiative which Sawant said will help foster a stronger reading culture, particularly among students and youth.
With the debt relief scheme now extended into an election year, the Sawant government has signalled its intent to keep mining‑affected families firmly in the grip of the ruling party.
