Faleiro raises seamen issue in Rajya Sabha

Panaji: Speaking in the upper house about the plight of seafarers across the country, Trinamool Congress’ (TMC) MP Luizinho Faleiro demanded that the Union ministry of shipping must create a scheme to provide seafarers with financial support after they retire.
Faleiro, who also spoke about the Goan seafaring community, said that the existing pension scheme is insufficient for retired seafarers or widows of seafarers.
“I request the shipping ministry to look into the matter. They were getting a pension of Rs 200 per month, but even that has stopped. It is a shame that today they do not have any pension scheme or ex-gratia. I request you to please either enhance this amount or bring an honourable pension scheme so that they and their families can live a life of honour and dignity,” said Faleiro, while speaking during Zero Hour in Parliament.
Highlighting the contribution of the seafarers, Faleiro said they not only sustain global trade, but also bring in precious foreign exchange to the country.
“The seafarers community in Goa has contributed immensely not only to the economy of Goa, but to the economy of India, because they remit foreign exchange. They work hard,” he said.
In June, after a delay of six months, the state government sanctioned the disbursal of Rs 1.2 crore as pension for retired seafarers and widows of seafarers. The pension had been pending since December. The state government had renewed the Seafarer Pension Scheme for retired seamen and it is in force till November.
Earlier, Faleiro had raised the issue of formalin-laced fish being brought from other states to be sold in Goa. He said that though the Goa government and the Centre had promised to put in place a fish quality testing centre at the borders, nothing had been done.
The Rajya Sabha MP has also demanded that a national Christian University be established in Goa. He argued that in order to preserve culture, script and language, there is a need for a Christian University in India and that it should be established in Goa as the state is an educational hub and has a Christian population.