NUSI chief says amount to be hiked to Rs 800
NUSI general secretary Milind Kandalgaonkar being welcomed at the GSAI office, Margao by president Frank Viegas on Thursday.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
Widows of seafarers receiving ex-gratia relief of Rs 200 per month from the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) can look forward to a hike in the amount.
On his maiden visit to Goa after taking over the reigns of NUSI around eight months ago, NUSI general secretary cum treasurer Milind Kandalgaonkar announced that the pension amount received by the widows of seafarers will be increased to Rs 800 per month.
That’s not all. Milind has announced that NUSI has drawn up plans to distribute monthly ration to the deserving widows amounting to Rs 600 after verification.
The NUSI general secretary along with the NUSI Maritime Academy Administrator Neeraj Aguiar visited the office of Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) on Thursday morning and discussed issues relating to seafarers and their families.
He was welcomed by GSAI president Frank Viegas and other office bearers at the office, wherein the two sides discussed issues including the NUSI hospital, the NUSI holiday home, NUSI Maritime Academy and the welfare benefits for the seafaring community.
During discussions, Milind informed that he would resolve the issue of seafarers complaining that the Goa branch office should be the nodal centre to take decisions on seamen problems right here at Goa.
He also informed that it has been decided to rent out the conference hall at the NUSI holiday home at Benaulim at nominal amount for the seafarers to hold their functions and programmes.
He assured the GSAI president that NUSI will take up all the grievances of the seafaring community with the Director general of shipping especially in respect of the courses the seafarers are required to undergo before joining the ship.
The GSAI president later expressed his happiness that the NUSI Chief has paid a courtesy visit to the GSAI office, saying the visit will send a message loud and clear that both NUSI and GSAI need to work unitedly for the benefit of the seafaring community.
Frank pointed out that Milind has informed him that the pension amount of widows will be hiked from Rs 200 to Rs 800 a month.
He said GSAI also drew attention of the NUSI chief that seafarers from Goa working on cruise liners are not allowed to take their family members on board the liners when they dock at the MPA.
Later, Milind invited the GSAI Chief and the office bearers to the NUSI Holiday home at Benaulim for discussions with the staff to resolve outstanding administrative issues.
