Margão: A Day after the government’s announcement of the extension of the Goa Welfare/Pension Scheme for Seafarers 2021, demands were made on Friday to make the scheme permanent instead of extending it by six months. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemão in a press statement issued here said, “Six months is the new normal for the BJP government. The promise was made on 15th July 2022 in the Goa legislative assembly by the Chief Minister to resolve all related issues and notify a permanent seafarers’ pension scheme. After four months, it has an extension of six months without concurrence of the finance department. We were assured by the Chief Minister himself in the assembly that the scheme will be notified as permanent scheme. How can it be extended for just six months?”

 

“The slow action of the BJP government exposes its apathy towards hardworking seafarers. It is loud and clear that the government has no gratitude towards the contributions made to the development of Goa by seafarers by earning foreign exchange. I once again demand that the Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant must put his administration in top gear and ensure that the scheme is made permanent and notified before Christmas and all pending dues cleared immediately,” said Alemão.

 

Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Savio Rodrigues has also made similar appeals. “Appreciate Goa CM for extending the Goa Welfare Pension Scheme for Seafarers for further six months. However, I earnestly impress upon the CM to make the scheme permanent as appealed by the seafarer’s association. It will bring the much-needed relief to seafarers in the state. Goa is home to many seafarers. It has been a long-pending demand from the seafarer’s association. In the interest of the seafarers and their families, the Goa government must consider making the scheme permanent,” said Rodrigues.