MARGAO
River Navigation Minister Subhash Phal Dessai on Friday said that there was no blast on the Ro Ro ferry under construction at the Vijay Marine Shipyard at Loutolim last year and hence ruled out any compensation payment to the workers either deceased or injured in the incident.
Making his stand clear on last year’s incident at Vijay Marine Shipyard, Loutolim, Phal Dessai said, “first and foremost, there was no blast on the Ro Ro ferry under construction at the shipyard. Secondly, shipyards are in no way connected to the River Navigation Department. This is a private shipyard and if a blast or fire has taken place at the shipyard, the River Navigation Department has no role to play.”
He added: The River Navigation Department cannot be blamed behind the incident. We are not connected to the issue. Government will have to take a call.”
Reminding that he is not the ship building minister, Phal Dessai questioned, “Can I take cognisance of anything and everything when this is not my portfolio. Someone had spread fake news that the blast had taken place on the Ro Ro ferry under construction. My department is not connected to the issue at all.”
