PANJIM: In the wake of death of five fish workers at Mobor and Cutbona jetty, due to Diarrhea, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the site to get a grasp of the realities and issue directions.
He directed that the boat owners pay Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and government will pay Rs 5 lakh from corpus fund. In future, boat owners are liable to pay Rs 25 lakh in case of worker’s death.
Sawant directed the immediate installation of bio toilets, health check-up, proper accommodation and other safety measures regarding health. He also questioned the intelligence of Goa Tourism Development Corporation officials in installing sensor toilets for workers. He directed that be removed immediately and simple toilets be installed. Is this a five star hotel, Sawant questioned. Also he directed that the boat owners should pay for the upkeep and cleanliness of the toilets and workers should not be charged to use the toilets.
When pointed out that the new jetty had been built 9 years ago and was not used. Sawant directed that the new jetty be inaugurated within a week and that trucks going to the jetty should be regulated one at a time. Sawant also directed that all the boats that were damaged and lying idle be auctioned and disposed off to avoid spread of vector borne diseases.
In the wake of five deaths at Cutbona and Mobor jetties, SOPs will be drawn up by the health department. Labour insurance has also been proposed and accepted by the Chief Minister. Also a break water jetty has been proposed and accepted by the CM. The boat owners however, were happy with the chief minister’s visit but found the Rs 25 lakh liability very stiff.