Team Herald
PANJIM: With barely any takers for schemes for the scheduled caste (SC) and other backward classes (OBC), the Goa State SC and OBC Finance and Development Corporation Ltd has decided to hold an awareness program.
Corporation Chairman Anil Hoble said it is chalking out plans to ensure the community takes advantage of the welfare schemes.
“We will tie up with SC and OBC panch members to create awareness on the schemes. We want that every individual/family eligible for the schemes takes benefit,” he said on Monday.
The Corporation is also implementing various low-interest finance schemes for setting up business activities. He stated that loans from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10 lakh are advanced at an interest rate ranging from 4 percent to 8 percent.
The Corporation also advances loans at very low interest to the students from weaker section for higher education to pursue professionals and technical courses.
“The interest rates are as low as 4 percent with a rebate of 0.5 percent for a girl,” Hoble said.
Under the House Repair Scheme, wherein the Corporation has disbursed Rs 51 lakh to different families in the past, the Chairman said they have recovered 81 percent so far.
In another move, for loans up to Rs 3 lakh, the Corporation has decided to do away with the ‘government servant security’ system.
In what could come as relief for those who had obtained loan over two decades ago, the Corporation is contemplating one time settlement or waiving off the amount.
“There were many individuals/families who had taken loan of amount like Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000 etc about 20-25 years ago. We have thought to give them relief through one time settlement or waiving it off, for which a proposal is already sent to the government. Let the government take a final call,” Hoble added.
