BJP Spokesperson Savio Rodrigues has urged Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to make the Goa Seafarers Pension and Welfare Scheme permanent and not just give an extension of six months.
Rodrigues, in his social media post, tagged the Chief Minister and wrote, “Appreciate Goa CM @DrPramodPSawant extending Goa Welfare Pension Scheme for Seafarers for further 6 months. However, I earnestly impress upon the CM to make the scheme permanent as appealed by the Seafarers Association. It will bring much relief to seafarers in the state.”
Rodrigues further stated, “Goa is home to many seafarers. It has been a long-pending demand from the Seafarers’ Association. In the interest of the seafarers and their families, the Goa government must consider making the scheme permanent.”
Approval was granted by the state government for the extension of the Goa Welfare/Pension Scheme for seafarers, 2021, for a further period of six months.
It may be recalled that Goan seafarers have been demanding that this scheme be made permanent for retired seafarers and widows. The scheme was revived in July 2021, but only for a period of six months, which was later extended by a year till November 2022.