the goan I network
MAPUSA
With their strike entering the fifth day on Monday, the agitating lifeguards have insisted on being detached from Drishti Marine and expressed their willingness to work under the supervision of any government agency.
They have also decided to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant listing their grievances and demands.
About 200 lifeguards were interacting with media persons near the Bodgeswhar Temple at Mapusa, where they had gathered to protest against the harassment and injustice meted to them by Dristhi.
Batting for the protesting lifeguards, convener of Yuva Goa Siddesh Bhagat called for action against Dristhi for failing to pay salaries on time and provide basic facilities to lifeguards even as their protest entered the fifth day on Monday. He also said it was baffling the government has so far failed to make any statement in favour of the struggling lifeguards, who are locals.
“Drishti should be taken to task. They should be called and asked why the lifeguards are not being paid on time. Why are they not getting bonus, gratuity, etc. The government should take up the issue with Drishti on behalf of the lifeguards,” Bhagat said.
The Yuva Goa Convener and former Aquem sarpanch was addressing the media near the Bodgeswhar Temple, Mapusa, where over 200 lifeguards had gathered to protest against the harassment and injustice meted to them by Dristhi Marine.
The strike of the lifeguards against delay in payment of salaries and poor facilities began last week on October 10.
Continuing, Bhagat said the lifeguards wanted to detach from Drishti and work under the supervision of any government agency.
“They are ready to work under the government. They want to be removed from Drishti because they are being harassed. The lifeguards are ready to work under any arrangement under the government because right now they have neither job security nor regular payment,” he said.
The Yuva Goa convener also said the lifeguards would be submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant listing their grievances and demands soon.
“It’s a little surprising that neither the CM nor the tourism minister has said a word over the last few days of the lifeguards’ strike. I don’t understand if government knows what is going on in Goa? Or in spite of knowing, they do not want to act,” Bhagat said.
Nearly 600 lifeguards are employed with Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd, a private beach management agency hired by the Goa Tourism Ministry.
Drishti in recent statement had conceded that there was delay in payment of salaries for unforeseen reasons but had assured to clear some of the dues by Monday (October 14).
Beach safety firm files libel suit
against Chodankar
PANAJI: Drishti Marine, the private beach contractor engaged by the Tourism Department for several years to provide the twin services of life-guarding and beach cleaning, has served notice of its intention to file a libel suit against Opposition Congress’ State president, Girish Chodankar, for alleging corruption in the renewal of their contract last year.
Chodankar meanwhile said the notice which is aimed to silence him will have no effect, adding that he will continue to expose the malfeasance of the contractor and the government.
Drishti Marine while refuting allegations levelled by Chodankar earlier this year questioning the contract renewal process for beach cleaning had claimed it violates the General Financial Rules.
The notice served on Chodankar demands an apology while pointing out that it was operating the beach cleaning contract at a cost which was 40% lower than the contractor executing the same work before it. Also, the contract did not have any provision for cost escalation for two years.Several beaches along Goa’s 105-km coast are the mainstay of its crucial tourism sector and providing beach safety and cleaning services there are paramount.
Drishti Marine was first roped in over a decade ago to provide life-guarding and other beach safety services.
In later years, it offered the beach cleaning services at discounted costs which the then government accepted after the operations of the previous contractor went awry.
