MARGAO: Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, on Wednesday deplored the government for detaining the wife of a seafarer who had sat on a demonstration outside the Chief Minister’s official residence at Altinho Panjim.
Digambar said it was most unfortunate to arrest the close relatives of stranded Goan seafarers who had gone to plead with the Chief Minister to bring their near and dear ones back home as soon as possible. He further reiterated that the contribution of seafarers to the country and the State’s economy should never be forgotten.
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The Congress MLA and former Chief Minister further pointed out that nearly 25 flights have taken off from Goa since the lockdown carrying people from United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Russia amongst others including those from the worst affected countries like Italy and Spain and said the Government of Goa should learn from these countries.
While extending all support and co-operation to the government on this matter he said the Goa government should expedite the follow up with the Union government on a war footing so that the 21,000 Indians working on the 199 ships can return to their country.
He also tweeted about the incident saying, “Most unfortunate to arrest family members of Stranded Seafarers at @goacm residence including women. They are concerned about their loved ones & it is our duty to give them mental strength & courage during testing times. Seafarers have contributed to Economy of Goa.
AAP says it has taken up the issue with the Centre
Claiming that they have received a positive response from the centre over the issue of the stranded seafarers, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) claimed to have got a positive response from the Centre over the issue of the stranded seafarers.
AAP Goa convener Elvis Gomes while pointing out that they had informed their party MP Sanjay Singh about the matter disclosed that Sanjay had taken up the matter with Union Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya who assured that the issue is under the active consideration of the union government.
The minister is supposed to have assured the AAP MP that the stranded seafarers will shortly be allowed to disembark and will immediately be brought back their homeland. Elvis added that they had hope in the move and were confident that Goan seafarers will back home soon.
Speaking about what happened on Wednesday, Elvis termed the act of detaining the family members as uncalled for and deplorable.
“I don’t think that anytime in the past have seafarers or their families gone to the government with any request. At this hour of crisis, instead of handling the issue with some sensitivity, they were detained by the police. This is deplorable” said Elvis.
He added that the Chief Minister should have called the Prime Minister or External Affairs Minister to discuss the matter when the family members had gone to meet him over it. But that did not happen, he pointed out adding that the government should have behaved “properly”.
IAS nodal officer should coordinate with PMO: GFP
The Goa Forward Party (GFP) President Vijai Sardesai has condemned the ‘shocking’ detaining of Gina Pereira, the wife of a stranded seafarer who was protesting, as shocking and condemnable.
Vijai added that the action has proved that the government lacks compassion towards fighting out the issues surrounding the Corona Pandemic.
“Whom do they expect to talk for the seafarers? Elected representatives had petitioned about this matter 20 days ago to the Chief Minister of Goa. These are MLAs who are near to the CM and who are supporting him. After 20 days the government is only giving excuses there is no on record action visible” said Vijai.
“In fact the families of the seafarers have been met with inaction and incompetence and then you are arresting them. This is adding insult to injury. The government needs to tell what it has done in the past 20 days. You are only giving dates,” Vijai added.
He further referred to the Chief Minister’s statement on Tuesday, that he has spoken to the Prime Minister and that he has given details.
“I spoke to somebody in Delhi and I was informed that no details have been sent. This means that the government is not sincere in this entire matter, Vijai alleged.
GFP has demanded that an IAS officer be appointed as the nodal Officer, who has relevant experience in coordinating with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Vijai also advised the government to show the compassion that is required to handle this issue and prepare a rescue plan by taking stakeholders and experts into confidence. “Tell the people clear-cut what your plan is” he added.
Mickky says public will wage war against the govt
Former minister Francisco Xavier alias Mickky Pacheco accused the Chief Minister of total failure on the issue and said the public will “wage a war against the government” without fearing the section 144, which is in force.
Continuing to hit out against the CM Pramod Sawant, Mickky said Pramod Sawant had failed primarily due to his immaturity and that he did not use the powers available under the Disaster Management Act properly.
He pointed out that despite having written to him on March 29 and various delegations of seafarers association meeting him besides MLAs, nothing worthwhile has happened to give relief to the stranded seamen and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not listening to Goa’s Chief Minister because of his immaturity.
