the goan I network
MARGAO
The Goa government has officially communicated to the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India to resolve the issue of stranded seafarers.
Director, NRI Affairs/Nodal officer Anthony D’Souza said the government has sought the intervention of the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of Goa for providing necessary assistance for the seafarers to disembark and complete immigration formalities after following the protocol laid down by the Ministry of Home Affairs, government of Goa.
The Government’s communication to the Centre comes against the backdrop that the Director General of Shipping and Additional Secretary to government of India, Ministry of Shipping has clarified that there is no restriction for sign on/sign off of Indian seafarers in ports in India.
Sources in the know informed that Chief Secretary Parimal Rai had on Thursday dashed off a letter to the Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs, government of India, seeking his intervention so that Goan seafarers receive necessary assistance at the
Mumbai Port Trust for their disembarkation and after following the protocols, as laid down by the MHA for such cases, be allowed to travel by road to Goa.
In his letter, the Chief Secretary drew attention of the Secretary, Union Home Affairs that around 93 seafarers onboard the cruise ship Karnika are presently stranded at the Mumbai Port Trust. He also drew attention of the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs that another cruise ship, Marella Discovery is currently in the Arabian sea, off the Mumbai coast, with 140 Indian crew members, including 66 from Goa. “The state government has received distress emails requesting for intervention to help disembark the crew in India”, the Chief Secretary added.
