Drishti acts tough against lifeguards
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, Dec 9
Drishti Beach Management Services has finally acted tough against the protesting lifeguards by issuing show-cause notices to 308 personnel and terminating 54 trainees.
“The objective of lifeguarding service is to save precious human lives. Hence Drishti considered it prudent to issue Show Cause Notices to 308 personnel. Also, 54 trainee lifeguards have been issued termination notice as their conduct does not make them worthy of being appointed as lifeguards,” said the Chief Operating Officer V Kanwar.
He said that the services along the beach stretch from Baga to Sinquerim stretch which has been affected due to the illegal strike is being patrolled continuously by Rescue Jet Ski operators.
According to Drishti officials, lifeguards administered major first aid to a domestic tourist at Calangute who suffered a deep gash in his sole and had to be rushed to the Primary Health Centre by 108 service. Besides, Drishti lifeguards rescued three persons at Vagator , Pallolem and Ashwem today.
Drishti deployed 152 lifeguards from October 2008 and 268 lifeguards commencing from November 2009. In November 2010, 78 trainee lifeguards were inducted for on-job training.
The management expects that with such action, the adamant lifeguards would return back to their work.
The lifeguards resorted to strike on Monday demanding hike in salaries, action against senior lifeguards for assaulting their juniors and reducing work hours. Since the negotiation with them did not work out, the management finally decided to take stern action.
The 308 personnel issued show cause notice comprised as under:
30 personnel appointed in July 2008 (Total appointed 101)
28 personnel appointed in October 2008 (Total appointed 57)
19 personnel appointed in December 2008 (Total appointed 44)
12 personnel appointed in July 2009 (Total appointed 21)
70 personnel appointed in October / November 2009 (Total appointed 94)
62 personnel appointed in December 2009 (Total appointed 95)
51 personnel appointed in May 2010 (Total appointed 126)
