Slams demand for Maritime Board, says it will make matters difficult
GSAI members addressing the media on the upcoming World Maritime Day on June 25.
MARGAO
The Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI) has decided to escalate the issue of the new old age welfare scheme with the Union Shipping Minister to extend the benefit of Rs one lakh to all seafarers who have completed the age of 75 years.
GSAI president Joseph Fernandes and founder president Dixon Vaz told the media that the issue will be discussed threadbare on June 25 at Maria hall, Benaulim coinciding with the International Seafarers Day.
Dixon said while the seafarer’s welfare society has restricted the benefit of the Rs one lakh scheme only to seafarers attaining the age of 75 years he said GSAI will press for the extension of all seafarers, who have already completed 75 years, besides widows.
The GSAI president said that Seafarers will also discuss on World Maritime Day the medical issues plaguing the seafaring community, including diabetics, hypertension etc.
Besides, the meeting at Maria hall, Benaulim will also deliberate on the deduction of Rs 15 dollars from every seafarers working on the cruise liners.
Vaz on Tuesday also slammed Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas for demanding setting up of a Maritime Board and misguiding the seafaring community.
Saying that Goa already has Captain of Ports under the Goa government and is addressing all issues including tourism related water sports and fishing community, Vaz feared that implementing Maritime Board can make matters difficult for the stakeholders.
“As most of the members of the Board will be secretary level IAS officers, any small applications like fitness certificates for water sports and other license will be effected”, he said.
While saying that the Goa Seamen Association of India had submitted a memorandum to form a maritime board, Vaz, however, said the seafarers later found out that this board will make it difficult for day-to-day business operations.
While saying that the opening of the new COP office in Panaji was postponed due to CM's schedule and will be held soon, he told the Benaulim MLA not to politicise the issue in the name of seafarers community.
