Panaji | March 31, 2016: Directorate of mines and geology on Tuesday decided not to extend any further one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for truck, barge and machinery owners after holding a meeting with banks.

Mines department sources said that chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar held a meeting with banks to decide on the future of OTS scheme. Mines department sources said when Parsekar questioned the bankers if there is a need to extend the OTS scheme, bankers said that since the OTS scheme was extended, not a single application was received.

The government extended the scheme on November 2015. Before that it was extended for twice.

Around 3,900 people have benefitted through the scheme and the state government has spent around 80 crore for the scheme.

The government had notified the OTS in 2014 for mining-dependants.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)