MARGAO: The Goan Seamen’s Association of India appealed to the State government for leniency while dealing with retired seamen who had taken pension from two sources and said they were willing to help the government in resolving this issue.
Briefing media persons Dixon Vas, the former president and present spokesperson of the organization, admitted that some retired seamen were receiving pension from the NUSI welfare fund and also from the DSS scheme of the Goa government.
He said around eight seamen had come to him to report having received notices from the government pointing out the wrong doing and asking them to return the amount received under one scheme within a stipulated time failing which a police complaint would be lodged against them.
“Some of the seamen’s widows are illiterate and that is why this must have happened,” said Dixon while asserting that all people coming to their office to fill up forms are told very clearly that they can avail of only one pension scheme.
“There are so many social workers in the locality including the politicians’ staff who fill up these forms and that is where the mistake must have occurred,” he said.
