PANAJI
The government on Tuesday informed the Goa Legislative Assembly that nine ferry routes in Goa are operated by the Goa Recruitment and Employment Society (GRES) to reduce overtime expenditure and minimise losses. The GRES is an autonomous society that functions in partnership with the government to supply contractual staff.
In a written reply tabled during Question Hour, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao asked whether operations on the ferry routes are privatised.
Minister for River Navigation Department Subhash Phal Dessai responded that the GRES has been directed to operate ferryboats with its own qualified staff on 11 routes at Tolto“Dhauji, Cumbharjua“Gavandalim, Volvoi“Surla-Maina, Camurlim“Tuem, Vaxim“Amboi, Rai“Shiroda, Rassai“Durbhat, Adpai“Rassaim and Pomburpa“Chorao in the State. “In addition, two Ro-Ro ferryboats have been deputed at the Ribandar“Chodan route on a build-and-operate basis through M/s Vijai Marine Services Private Limited,” the minister stated.
Pressed on what prompted this shift and whether the Cabinet had approved the move, Phal Dessai said that ferry boats on these routes have been handed over to the Society “only for operations in order to eliminate overtime allowance (OTA) expenditure and reduce losses.”
He also detailed the manpower pattern on each ferry including one coxswain, one machinist, two sailors and one ticket collector. “On the above 11 ferryboats, required qualified staff have been engaged by the GRES. Similarly, on two Ro-Ro ferryboats, M/s Vijay Marine Services Pvt Ltd has deployed their staff, and on the remaining ferryboats, the River Navigation Department has employed/deputed their staff,” he stated.
Responding to another query on Ro-Ro ferries, the minister clarified that the vessels currently operating between Ribandar and Chorao are not government purchases. “The RND intends to start two more Ro-Ro ferry boats at the St Pedro“Divar route,” he said, adding that ferry crews are trained for any eventualities and rescue operations.
He further revealed that the State’s solar-powered ferryboat has been handed over to a private operator “after following codal formalities on rental basis in order to generate revenue.” However, he admitted that revenue collected towards the solar ferry boat is ‘NIL’.
