WISL workers deny entry to Mormugao dy collector to yard
VASCO
The Western India Shipyard workers defended their decision to prevent Mormugao Deputy Collector Gaurish Shankwalkar from inspecting the tilted ship, after accusing him of blocking an earlier meet with Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza to put forth their grievances.
The workers, who had gathered at the gate, denied entry to Disaster Management for Mormugao Taluka in-charge Shankwalkar and the GSPCB officials. However, after explaining the cause of their visit, the GSPCB officials were allowed to enter the premises with police protection, but Shankwalkar was made to wait outside the gate.
Speaking to The Goan, WISL workers union leader Alex Pacheco said the workers were angry with Shankwalkar.
“When Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza was in Vasco to unveil the plaque of the foundation stone of market complex at Headland Sada, Shankwalkar had assured he will allow us to meet D’Souza after the function,” said Pacheco.
“However after the function, Shankwalkar instead of allowing us to meet D’Souza sent a strong police force to block us from meeting the deputy chief minister, which angered the workers and he was denied entry into the yard on Thursday,” said Pacheco.
When brought to Pacheco's notice that the deputy collector visited to take stock of the situation of possible oil leakage, the workers said they did not get salaries for last several months and no one has made any effort to solve their problem.
“We know that the tilting ship is dangerous to the marine life if the oil leaks and hence we allowed the GSPCB officials to inspect it. We will allow other officials to enter the yard, but the denial of entry to Shankwalkar was to vent our anger against him,” said a worker.
Some workers sought to know what Shankwalkar would have done after inspection, as he is not a technical person.
“If at all he was so concerned about pollution, then he should visit the MPT chairman and the Coast Guard to know what precaution they have taken to avoid oil leakage,” added the worker.
