the goan I network
PANAJI
The agitating lifeguards on Wednesday protested in front of the Paryatan Bhavan in Panaji, even as they have failed to get support from the public and attention from the politicians.
The lifeguards have been demanding that the state government should discontinue the services of Drishti and absorb them in the government.
However, those closely connected to the profession, opine lifesaving is skill-based and there is a need for necessary infrastructure and technical support to implement this service. It is not possible for the government to set up the infrastructure required for lifeguarding, they added.
They said lifeguards can work upto a certain age limit. Taking this into consideration, the government will have to also make provision for their early retirement which will burden the exchequer, they added.
The lifeguards have been agitating for the last two months with the support of union leader Swati Kerkar under the banner of All Goa Marine Lifesaving Guards Union.
Kerkar has said that in the last two months the lifeguards met almost all the MLAs, including the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Tourism Minister Manohar Babu Ajgaonkar, but none have been able to provide respite.
She said that the agitation would be taken across the villages to inform the people about the misdeeds of this company.
Drishti has consistently said that it has been willing to re-induct the absconding lifeguards when the vacancies are available.
Meanwhile, CEO of Drishti Marine Ravi Shankar said, “Misguided lifeguards who have been absconding from work are holding the state of Goa hostage by compromising on public safety. No dues to lifeguards are outstanding, and those on duty have also been paid their bonuses. We are getting the support of the Government to ensure timely payments.”
The primary focus is on keeping visitors to the beach safe and away from the rough seas, he added.
He further said that with the recruitment of every new lifeguard, the window to take back the present lifeguards is becoming smaller. A highly trained and skilled rescue force is becoming redundant for no clear reason, Shankar added.
