Cutbona-based boat owners have expressed their strong reservations to the threat issued by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant that the government will seek compensation amounting to Rs 25 lakh from them in the event of further deaths of migrant crew.
Making an appeal to the Chief Minister to reconsider his decision, the boat owners and fishermen under the banner of Cutbona Boat owners Federation has said they will be left with no option than to wind up their business as they will not be able to afford the huge compensation. Pointing out even the Prime Minister’s scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs 2.5 lakh, they wondered how the Goa government expects the boat owners to pay Rs 25 lakh compensation when the value of some of the vessels is not even Rs 20 lakh. Saying the outbreak of cholera was unexpected, boat owner Patrick D’Silva termed the Rs 25 lakh compensation as totally unrealistic.
“We are into the fishing business and not to take the lives of our workers. What has happened is unfortunate, but the huge compensation is not a solution”, he added. Boat owner Savio D’Silva wondered how the boat owners will pay a compensation of Rs 25 lakh when the vessels does not command value of Rs 25 lakh.
Chairman of Cutbona fisheries society Vinay Tari has expressed similar sentiment, saying the boat owners will submit a representation to the CM to reconsider the decision on compensation, saying the Rs 25 lakh compensation is on a higher side.