Team Herald
MARGAO: In a big relief to the seafarers’ community, the Goa government has decided to make the Goa Welfare Pension Scheme for seafarers permanent. However, the beneficiaries will continue to receive their pensions for the next six months, or until the new draft of the scheme is ready. All the pending dues will also be disbursed by the end of November, said Anthony D’Souza, Director of NRI Affairs.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, who used to be a Merchant Navy Captain, and several other seafarers have expressed satisfaction, as the pension scheme was due to expire within a few days. “Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has given his approval to make this Goa Welfare Pension Scheme for Seafarers permanent, and has also instructed us to re-draft the scheme,” said D’Souza.
He said it would take some time to re-draft the scheme to make it permanent. “The Chief Minister desires that the Chief Secretary meets with the Director General of Shipping, to deliberate on the scheme,” said the Director of NRI Affairs.
Reacting to the government’s decision to extend the existing scheme for another six months, Viegas, who had raised the issue in the Assembly session, said that the government has fulfilled a big promise to his fellow seafarers.
“I thank the Chief Minister for fulfilling his assurance given to me during his resolution on the issue,” he said.
He further said it was a great achievement and thanked all the concerned associations and others for supporting the cause.
During a long period of uncertainty, the seafarers’ community was eagerly waiting for CM Sawant to make an announcement pertaining to the scheme, which was due to expire on November 30. With the Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) demanding that the scheme be made permanent, several current MLAs have supported the demand and voiced their concern in the Goa Legislative Assembly and through the media. “The GSAI has time and again followed up and reminded the concerned authorities so that our efforts don’t go in vain due to negligence or reasons best known to them,” said a seafarer.
