MARGAO: The seafarers’ community has expressed its surprise over the “dreadful” silence of the ministers and MLAs especially from their heartland for failing to take up the pension issue with Chief Minister for an early resolution.
The Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) has kept its fingers crossed since the peaceful protest has been called off following Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant’s assurance to resolve the issue at the earliest.
Protests were earlier held in Velim, Benaulim, Cuncolim and Nuvem constituencies
“Almost 10 days have passed since the committee members met Chief Minister, our retired seafarers and their widows are pinning their hopes on the CM’s assurance to see the light of the day at least before Diwali,” said Frank Viegas of GSAI.
Ayush Minister Shripad Naik, who is in Delhi, will be taking up the issue of seafarers who have been debarred for a period of 5 years from applying the Indian CDC.
GSAI brought to the attention of the Shipping Minister and Director General of Shipping to resolve the issue on a priority basis since most of the shipping companies/port authorities are insisting to have Indian CDC as a mandatory document.
