MARGAO: The long wait of the retired seafarers and the widows of seamen will end very soon, as the money which was due under the Goa Welfare/Pension Scheme will be disbursed into their accounts by the end of June. Interestingly, the Department of NRI Affairs is in process again to move the file with the government pertaining to make this scheme permanent.
Nearly 2,000 beneficiaries will get a big relief once they receive the pending pension money from December 2021 to May 2022 at the end of this month. The Department of NRI Affairs has already received the funds of Rs 1.25 lakh in order to release it to the beneficiaries.
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It is pertinent to note that the beneficiaries were receiving Rs 2,500 per month and according to an estimate there are around 2,500 people intended for the aforesaid Goa Welfare/Pension Scheme for Seafarers. However, for the last many months money was not credited into the accounts of these beneficiaries.
The seafarers community of Goa, and the association representing them; Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI) were very upset for not receiving the due amount under the seafarers pension scheme.
Speaking to the Herald, Anthony D’Souza, Director of NRI Affairs informed that upon the directions of the Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, the process pertaining to release the amount to the beneficiaries under the scheme was initiated and the department has already received the fund of Rs 1.25 lakh.
“After rectifying the earlier order, now the due amount will be disbursed to the beneficiaries, from December 2021 to May 2022. Most probably all the beneficiaries will be credited into the beneficiaries account by June 22”, he informed.
He also said that there are many beneficiaries who are yet to submit their life certificate.
Reacting to the demand of GSAI to make the scheme permanent, the Director said that the department is in the process to move the file again with the government so that a decision is taken.
Frank Viegas, President of GSAI said they want the government to put the issue to rest by making this scheme permanent, as the period of the scheme is going to end November 30, 2022.
“GSAI had requested to put the issue to rest once and for all by making the Goa welfare pension scheme for seafarers permanent and to consider new applicants who have already missed six months benefits of the scheme which they would have been entitled to if the NRI department had considered new applicants”, he stated.
He said the department is considering the new applicants under the scheme who missed the benefits.
“Most of them are senior citizens, widows and medically unfit seafarers who have to run pillar to post just to avail information or to do documentation.
He has appealed to the CM to consider their request to settle their long pending demand once and for all.
