Govt will unveil permanent pension scheme before polls, Churchill assures seafarers

Saying he had led a delegation of seafarers to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant earlier this week with the grievances of the Goan seafarers, Churchill claimed that the Chief Minister has assured the delegation that a permanent pension scheme for the retired seafarers will come before the elections.

“I understand the sentiments and the plight of the seafarers. I was once a seafarer, having worked as third cook on board the ship. Only those who have worked on the ship can understand the hard work put in by the seamen,” he said, while expressing his solidarity with the seafarers waging a battle for a permanent pension scheme for the retired seafarers.

“The pension scheme was unveiled by former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. After his death, the scheme was discontinued for unknown reasons. I had raised the issue on the floor of the House after the seafarers had brought the matter to his notice,” Churchill recalled.

Saying the delegation has made a fervent plea to the Chief Minister to explore the possibility of clearing the pension arrears to the beneficiaries, Churchill said the Chief Minister has promised to look into the issues, including the promise to unveil a permanent scheme for the seafarers.

GSAI President Frank Viegas urged the Benaulim MLA to use his good offices with the government to take a decision to unveil a permanent scheme for retired seafarers and widows within a time frame. He also requested Churchill to get the pension arrears to the seafarers at the earliest.

GSAI Secretary Benny Da Costa urged the Benaulim MLA to pursue the matter with the government and ensure that the pension scheme is made permanent at the earliest.