Jadeja and Nanda said the higher amount the small units had paid till August 31, 1999 would be adjusted on a case-to-case basis. The decision to lower the interest rates has been taken because small units are still reeling under the impact of recession and are unable to pay their instalments on schedule.

Nanda said those who had been paying their dues regularly for two years in a row would get first priority to adjust their repayment as per the new scheme. "This is not an offer for the entire industry, but for industrial sickness. It will be offered to only those who approach us and not to everyone", he said.