the goan I network
VASCO
Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industries (GCCI) Logistics Committee Chairman Chandrakant Gawas and member of Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) on Thursday said the GBOA must unite to resolve barge owners issues, instead of indulging in infighting among themselves.
“Elections every year is a must and a new committee and a new president is important to ensure transparency of the body,” said Gawas.
Speaking to reporters, Gawas said, “This body was formed to ensure good business and safety of barge owners. Forming groups for vested interests and infighting within this body is not correct.”
“With 30 years of experience as a barge owner, I feel politics should be kept aside from bodies meant to safeguard the business of members. This body was formed in 1975... at a time when so many barge owners are struggling for business and repayment of loans, infighting must be kept aside. When banks are after us, we should have been united in our struggles instead of going to courts over elections,” Gawas added.
Stating that there were more important things to resolve, Gawas said the GBOA must be a united body rather than simply forming groups for self interests. “When this association was formed, it was decided that a new face be elected as president of the body every year, so that he can contribute his views and take responsibility of the members and put efforts to make our business stronger.”
“But here at GBOA, we have presidents who have served for more than 10 years at a stretch and now, the president wants to continue for another year... if these things take place, it gives the impression that they have some personal interest in the post. A new person must be made president and elections must happen every year, so that a new face e is elected and a new committee is formed. It is definitely the need of the hour,” added Gawas.
