22 Oct 2020  |   05:27am IST

GSAI hopes CM will keep his word on seafarers’ pension issue

Team Herald

MARGAO: After meeting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and getting an assurance to end the impasse on the issue of stopped pension of retired Seafarers and widows, the Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) has requested the CM to keep his word and release the pension soon.

GSAI President Frank Viegas said added that the promise shouldn’t be like the one given by the CM in April about starting the pension from May. 

"The government will show that it’s concerned of senior citizens if they restart the pension and also give all the arrears to the retired seafarers and widows," said Frank.  

Frank also called for the scheme to be made permanent. "The CM has asked his OSD to bring the file to his table and finish the process to restart the pension, he said.

Michael Benny Dacosta from the GSAI added, "The former CM (late) Manohar Parrikar started this unique scheme with a vision. If the BJP wishes to take the legacy of Parrikar ahead they have to restart the scheme and make it permanent in nature" he said. 

The CM had assured the GSAI delegation that had submitted a letter with their grievances in person on Tuesday, that he would solve the issues regarding the pension scheme for retired seamen. 

Viegas, in his address to the seafarers at Nuvem thanked the seafarers and people who joined the Protests and made it successful to this extent.