TEAM HERALD
VASCO: When Francis (Laltan) D’Souza and a crew member died after their trawler capsized near the Naval Coast Battery off Headland-Vasco on August 1, 2014, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado had announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to D’Souza and the other missing crew member.
Eight months have passed and both bereaved families still await the compensation.
Francis’ brother, Joao, said his trawler had been closely trailing the ill-fated trawler ‘Maria Rosa,’ as both vessels had ventured into the sea to catch the prized solar shrimps on the first day of the fishing season.
A large wave struck the Maria Rosa and the trawler capsized moments later.
As soon as Francis’ trawler capsized, Joao alerted his colleagues at the Vasco fishing Jetty who, in turn, alerted Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and the Indian Coast Guard.
Furtado requested the Navy to deploy their helicopters for search and rescue operations and had rushed to Baina beach to take stock of the situation.
While other crew members were rescued, Francis perished in the tragedy and the body of crew member, Harischandra alias Pappu, was never recovered.
While at Baina beach, Furtado had announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of Francis and Pappu, in the presence of Almeida, DIG Coast Guard Manoj Baadkar, Coast Guard Commander Askhay Jain and All Goa Fishing Trawler Owners Association President Sydney Furtado.
Eight months have passed and the families of Francis and Pappu still await the compensation promised by the minister.
“Family members of Pappu reached Goa and started demanding from us the compensation, which was announced by Furtado. How could I give them the Rs 2 lakh when we ourselves had not received the amount,” asked Regina, Francis’ mother, with tears in her eyes. “We know what it is to lose a bread earner and so, we gave Rs 50,000 to the family members of Pappu from the insurance amount of Rs 1 lakh that we had received on account of Francis’ death,” she added.
Joao added, “News of the compensation had spread far and wide and everyone thought that we had received the amount from the government. As a result, family members of Pappu arrived from their native place to collect their amount.”
“We could not send them back empty-handed as Pappu had worked for us and hence, we paid them Rs 50,000 from the insurance amount,” said Joao.
“We are grateful to Furtado for arranging the Naval helicopters and rescuing the other crew members. But till date, we have not received the assured compensation. We had even submitted a petition through the office of the Vasco MLA, but nothing has materialised till date.”
When contacted, Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado said he was aware of the promise he had made to family members of Francis and Pappu.
“I tried to get the compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and I am still trying to do so. Though delayed, I will fulfil my promise and will see to it that the family members of Francis and Pappu are paid the compensation,” assured Furtado.
