MARGAO: Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shripad Naik on Saturday assured to resolve the issues pertaining to unemployment amongst the youth trained in maritime, as Seafarers Community on Saturday celebrated the ‘Tarvottiancho Dis’ at Margao.
“Will look into the matter seriously and try to discuss the issue with the Central government”, said Naik, when media persons brought to his notice that getting a job after completing pre-sea training has been very tough to get the jobs. At the function held at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI), besides Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai urged the State government to make the welfare scheme for retired seafarers and widows permanent.
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However, Commissioner for the Department of NRI Affairs, Adv Narendra Sawaikar assured the seafarers community to follow up with the Goa government pertaining to making the above scheme permanent.
In his nearly 17 minutes address he mentioned several steps and schemes implemented by the DGP and the Central Ministry in order to resolve the issues of the seafarers community of country.
Sawaikar in his address said that seafarers are playing a big role in running the world’s commercial activities.
“World economy is running smoothly because of the seafarers. I have done my best to resolve all the issues pertaining to the Goan seafarers. The NRI Department will surely follow up with the State government to make the welfare scheme permanent”, assured Sawaikar.
While, MLA Vijai Sardesai expressed disappointment for not recognising the sacrifice given by the seafarers community and demanded protection of this community.
“In order to give protection to the seafarers community there is an urgent need for a policy from the government side. Seafarers need recognition and protection”, he said.
He also demanded that the State government make the welfare scheme permanent.
Frank Viegas, president of Goan Seamen Association of India in his welcome speech also demanded to make the welfare scheme for retired seamen and their widows permanent, besides to accept the new application to avail the benefit of the said scheme.
On the occasion GSAI felicitated several seafarers for their service in the profession.
Capt James Branganza, Amarsingh Thakur, Glen Lacardo and Gabrial Pinto also addressed the gathering.
