Goa government on Thursday began processing the applications for monthly reimbursement to the truck owners, left workless due to stoppage of mining industry in the state.

Goa Electronic Ltd, a state-run agency, has started handing over the applications to the state Mines and Geology department and so far around 100 applications were handed over to the department in the presence of Chief Minister manohar Parrikar.

Parrikar said that around 6,000-7,000 truck owners would be benefited under this scheme which provides finance of ranging up to Rs 12,000 a month. All the applications would be cleared by the end of April, he said.

The truck owners would be given benefit in the retrospective effect from October 1, 2012 onwards, since the time mines had stopped functioning.

The state government has also announced a scheme for those, who have lost their jobs due to mining closure.

Parrikar said approval of the applications for those who have lost the jobs would start simultaneously.

They would be paid retrospectively from January 1, 2013 or from the time of termination of their job, whichever is earlier.

The state government records reveal that there would be 8000-9000 such people who can be covered with the benefits.

The temporary closure of the mining operations is affecting the livelihood of around one lakh people who are dependent on this activity.

The mines in the state have been closed since September last year, after Supreme Court verdict.

The court, ordering the suspension, had asked Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to probe into the revelations of illegal mining as pointed in Justice M B Shah commission report.

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