MARGAO
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on Sunday charged the BJP government with harassing seafarers and foreign exchange earners, saying that retired seafarers have been made to struggle for pension.
“No jobs, no pension, no citizenship. Due to failure of BJP government to create employment opportunities, Goan youths go abroad, earn foreign exchange and support Goan economy. Still, government snatches away their citizenship. Retired seafarers are made to struggle for pension, Yuri said, while demanding that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must explain why government is harassing the people of Goa.
Reacting to the demand made by Goa Seafarers Association of India (GSAI) to fast track the pending applications of Goa Welfare Pension Scheme for Seafarers, Yuri has slammed the BJP Government for its insensitive attitude.
“Government takes post facto approvals after spending multiple crores on events but has no courtesy to expedite financial approvals to disburse pensions to the needy in time, stated Yuri.
He added: “It is shocking to note that hundreds of applications are pending since 2018. Government must instruct the concerned Officials of Home Department and NRI Commission to expedite the scrutiny of pending applications”.
Saying he is unable to understand why BJP Government is reluctant to make the Goa Welfare Pension Scheme for Seafarers permanent, he said “We must respect our hardworking Seafarers who stay away from their homes to earn Foreign Exchange and support their Families and State of Goa”.
He said the government has become blind with its obsession for glittering events spending money by emptying State Treasury, adding “they have lost sensitivity of bringing smiles on faces of Goans during festival season”.
