3 months on, seamen yet to get pension

3 months on, seamen yet to get pension
TNN | Jan 3, 2021, https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/3-months-on-seamen-yet-to-g...

Panaji: Despite receiving an assurance three months ago from chief minister Pramod Sawant that their pension under the Goa Welfare Pension Scheme for Seafarers would be released, the retired seafarers continue to wait.

A delegation of seafarers had submitted a memorandum to Sawant in October for the release of funds to more than 3,000 retired seafarers and widows under the scheme. They had earlier petitioned him in April and were assured that disbursements would begin in May.

President of the Goa Seamen’s Association of India, Frank Viegas, says the pension has been pending since October 2019.

“The NRI department has already sent the file to the home department for approval. After the home department vets it, it requires to be cleared by the finance department,” Viegas told TOI.