MARGAO: Goa Forward Party (GFP) has strongly condemned the ‘immoral behavior’ of the Goa Government of reducing a purely ‘humanitarian rescue operation to a revenue-generating extortion operation to save a bankrupt State.
“We pray that our ‘Goenkars’ stuck abroad, whether offshore or onshore, and seeking urgent repatriation due to their distress do not have to go through more such ordeals due to the tussle of the government with their companies to milch them to the maximum in their moment of helplessness and misery,” said GFP President Vijai Sardesai.
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GFP also expressed its abundant joy at the safe return to Goa of Goan seafarers stuck on ‘Marella Discovery’ in Mumbai for more than 40 days and wished that they faithfully and successfully complete their quarantine period and join their longing families as soon as possible.
GFP reminded the Goa Government about the WHO guidelines of Feb 11, 2020 on “Repatriation and Quarantine” whereby it states that “travellers should be treated, with respect for their dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms and minimize any discomfort or distress associated with such measures, including by treating all travellers with courtesy and respect; taking into consideration the gender, socio-cultural, ethnic or religious concerns of travellers”.
GFP further demanded that the Goa Government follows the International Health Regulations in toto as an International Regulation supersedes any national or local regulations and supports wholeheartedly the legitimate demands of the Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI).
GFP also urges the State government to expedite efforts so that other Goans stuck either on Indian Shores, especially on Karnika and Angrya, or on land within the country return to Goa at the earliest without undue delay.
“Likewise there are hundreds of our other NRI Goenkars who are anxiously waiting to be repatriated from onshore stuck either in the Middle East, Europe, America or in other parts of the world,” Vijai added.
