Goa’s proud and professionally competent community of seafarers have reason to be happy. They have, due to their constant efforts for their retired brothers at sea and the families of their departed comrades got the government to agree to their long-pending requirement of monthly pensions for the retired seamen and the widows of those who are no longer with us.
This pension scheme was not renewed after it expired in October 2019 leaving the seafarers community saddened and distressed. In fact they were earlier promised a monthly pension of Rs 5000. After a long wait since then, more than 3000 retired seafarers and widows will get this financial benefit. A memorandum was also submitted to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in October 2020 a year after the scheme lapsed.
Herald, is pleased that the Chief Minister has intervened and lent a helping hand to the families of the sons of the soil, who take no benefits from the government and keep the economy of many families running due to their service at sea, through their merit and skills without any burden to the State.
It’s a cause dear to Herald and we have done our duty by backing our seamen. We applaud the CM for hearing the voice of the people.
The Chief Minister’s decision will bring relief to many families as the amount of Rs 2500 is higher than any other government scheme. We also hope that the Chief Minister will go a step further and accede to the request of our seamen to increase the compensation to Rs 5000 which would be more apt.
Moreover, there has been a gap of 21 months since the scheme lapsed, which has resulted in hardships to the families of retired seaman and widows of the departed ones. If this is cleared, it will bring huge relief to these families especially during these pandemic times. Many of them are aged and would need all the support in terms of medicines, nutrition etc.
One believes that the CM will direct the concerned departments to release the arrears and consider enhancing the compensation, as earlier promised to Rs 5000.
Nevertheless, this decision should be commended and the CM should be thanked.
