MARGAO
The Goan Seafarers Association of India has welcomed the government pension scheme for retired seafarers and widows, but has made a fervent plea to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to ensure that the scheme comes into effect from January 2021 if not from October 2019.
GSAI has also requested the government to make the pension scheme permanent for the benefit of the seafarers since the scheme notified on Friday will remain in force only for a period of six months.
GSAI President Frank Viegas welcomed and thanked Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for the decision to declare Goa welfare pension scheme for seafarers/widows on the auspicious day of seafarers on 25th June 2021 which is celebrated all over the world due to their contribution to world economy and specially at a time of Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the government had failed to restart the scheme since October 2019 and kept the seafarers guessing and hoping. “The Chief Minister on 20th October 2020 met GSAI committee members and assured to restart as soon as possible and to call off the agitation which was held in some of the constituencies by retired seafarers and widows by coming on the streets as a mark of protest. Some of the Ministers and MLAs also gave lot of assurance to their constituency seafarers but was in vain,” he said.
GSAI urged the Chief Minister to at least consider implementing the scheme from January 2021 if not from October 2019 which will be a blessing on the State exchequer and not a burden since the beneficiaries, constitute the senior citizens, who are dependent on the scheme.
“Since the notification is considered for only six months that is 1st June 2021 to 30th November 2021, we request all the concerned Ministers and MLAs specially seafarers residing constituency to support and bring to the attention of the Chief Minister to get it resolved so not to put the retired seafarers and widows into stressful situations,” he said.
Frank added: “When we talk of well-being of our citizens, we must take utmost care so no hardship is given to our citizens especially during this Covid-19 pandemic. We thank the NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar and Director Anthony D’Sousa for their exemplary work towards the seafarers’ community.”
