TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Over 1200 loan defaulters from the mining belt, who owe around Rs 78 crore to the Goa State Co-operative Bank (GSCB) last year will be issued notice.
The Bank management is waiting for Supreme Court hearing on August 29, before issuing the notices. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also not accepted GSCB request for restructuring of loans.
Speaking to HERALD GSCB chairman Ulhas Phaldessai said that enough time was given to the defaulters, considering that mining might resume during the current season, and that the bank is facing financial problems due to the non-payment of loans for last one year.
There are over 791 truck owners with loan liability of around Rs 57 crore, while 383 people engaged in other allied activities owe the bank Rs 7.32 crore. Similarly there are 100-odd barge owners with loan liability of Rs 5.40 crore.
The Chairman said that Bank is also waiting the outcome of the government representation to RBI for restructuring of loan. The bank is also in talks with its counterparts in other States with a request to purchase the trucks from local owners.
The talks are being held with the Co-operative Bank of Sindudurgh, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. While AP has expressed its willingness, Sindudurgh and Orissa have not responded following a mining ban there as well.
Phaldessai said that many truck owners have also voluntarily approached the Bank with a proposal to sell their trucks to clear their loans.
There are over 12000 trucks registered with the Directorate of Mines and Geology. The truck owners are provided up to Rs 12,000 financial assistance by government per month.
