CM urged to push PMO on bringing back Goan seafarers

Panaji/Margao: The state cabinet on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to push the Prime Minister’s Office on bringing  back Goan seafarers, who are stranded across the world.

Port Minister Michael Lobo told  media persons after a cabinet meeting that  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take a final call on seafarers issue after April 14.

“The Prime Minister’s Office is going to take a decision on seafarers issue only after April 14. So families of the Goan seafarers must wait till April 14…,”  he said.

Lobo maintained  that some cruise ships are ready for disembarkation  of the seafarers at various ports. However, it can happen only once the PMO takes a final decision.

South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha on Wednesday said that he has   spoken to the  Union Minister for  External Affairs on  bringing back the   stranded Goans  seafarers. 

The Union minister  has assured that the  stranded Goan sailors will be brought back to the state once the  lockdown is withdrawn, Sardinha said.  

Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao on Wednesday said that he has written to the Prime Minister  and Home Minister Amit Shah  requesting them to facilitate the safe return of  around 7,000 seafarers who are stranded in foreign countries.

Speaking to media persons at his office on Wednesday, Alemao said that Modi has to take a decision on the rescue of the seafarers.