ï®â€‰Operators get 8 days to pay or risk suspension of licence
ï®â€‰Told to pay Rs 25 lakh compensation for any future deaths
MARGAO
Acting tough over the deaths of the migrant fishing crew members, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday directed the boat owners to compensate the kin of the five workers by paying relief amounting to Rs 5 lakh, warning that boat owners will be mandated to pay a whopping compensation amounting to Rs 25 lakh in the event of further deaths of workers at the fishing jetties.
He said the government would also pay compensation of Rs 5 lakh to each of the workers who fell victim to cholera at the Cutbona fishing jetty and the fish landing centre at Mobor.
Sending a message loud and clear that the government means business, the Chief Minister virtually served an eight-day deadline on the boat owners to compensate the kin or risk suspension of their fishing licence, which would stop the vessels from venturing out in the sea. To ensure that the boat owners comply with his direction to pay compensation, the Chief Minister said the boat owners should submit to him the proof that they have paid compensation in the account of the kin of the deceased workers. “Suspend the licence of the fishing vessels owned by the boat owners whose workers have died in the outbreak of cholera. Don’t allow them to venture out in the sea if they don’t pay the compensation within eight days. Let the fishing vessels remain anchored at the fishing jetty,” he said.
A no-nonsense Chief Minister said the boat owner, the manager of the fishing vessel will be held responsible for the death of workers employed as crew on the fishing vessels. “Henceforth, cases will be filed against the boat owners and their managers if such cases recur at the jetties. They have to provide compulsory kits aboard the vessels. When three of the five deceased were brought dead at the hospital, this shows they did not receive treatment from the employers,” he said, while directing the officials to amend the rules mandating cases against the owners and managers and suspension of fishing licences for 1-2 years if death occurs on the fishing vessels due to any disease.
He added, “The Boat owners should take the responsibility for the five deaths since they were not taken to the hospital. They should henceforth take the responsibility for any more deaths. The owners should not allow the workers to sail if they are unfit. The owners should provide kits, including ORS aboard the vessels. When the crew is sailing in the vessels for 9-10 days, the owners should take care of them. The Collector, Fisheries and Health will decide about the SOP for the health of the workers. They should impose the fine, otherwise they will not improve,” he said.
After inspecting the Cutbona fishing jetty with Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Velim MLA Cruz Silva, Velim Sarpanch Veena Cardozo, district Collector Asvin Chandru and various officials, the Chief Minister expressed concern over the deaths of the migrant crew members at the jetty. “The boat owners are equally responsible when their crew dies. I have been told 2-3 workers were brought dead at the hospital. They have to pay the compensation to the kin of the deceased,” he asserted.
