PANJIM: The Goa Seamen Association of India (GSAI) on Friday called on the office of the NRI Commission demanding that an inquiry through Director General of Shipping (DG Shipping) be conducted into the death of seafarer Brito D’Silva, who was abducted in Nigeria by the pirates.
The Association has also demanded that inquiry against the shipping company should be conducted in order to give justice to the family of D’Silva, who died on December 23, last month.
GSAI President Dixon Vaz along with other members met NRI Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar and demanded that the government intervenes in the matter to avoid such tragic incidents in the future.
“We have demanded that DG shipping be asked to conduct an inquiry into the death of D’Silva. The shipping company should also be investigated as they fail to take any responsibility,” he said.
D’Silva was amongst the 18 Indians who were held hostage by pirates off the coast of Benin in West Africa in December, last year. All were released, last week.
GSAI has demanded that the NRI Commission must maintain the details of the seamen including details of where they work.
During the meeting, the Association also brought to the notice of the Commission about the non-release of pension to 3,500 seafarers since the last four months. Under the Goa Welfare/ Pension Scheme for Seafarers, Rs 2,500 is provided as monthly financial benefit to retied seafarers.
Vaz said that the Commission has informed them that it has integrated the scheme with Dayanand Social Security Scheme (DSSS), with Directorate of Social Welfare as the implementing agency.
