Goemkarponn Desk
MARGAO: In the wake of recent Cholera outbreak at Cutbona jetty, Environment Minister Alexio Sequeira today said that the Fisheries Department will enhance the fine on unused vessels anchored at the jetty from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
Minister Alex Sequeira along with other officials chaired a meeting to review the situation at Cutbona Jetty.
“Fisheries department will enhance fine on unused vessels anchored at the jetty from Rs 5,000 to Rs 1 lakh. I have also directed authorities to implement CM’s instructions to improve hygiene,” said Sequeira.
He further said that this proposal has come from the association itself and that fees must be enhanced to Rs 1 lakh per month per vessel.
“Like this, we have come up with various dicussions and they will be implemented. I am happy that the proposal to increase parking fees came from the association itself,” he added.
He further said that associations are interacting with the Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar with their issues and problems.
“All the issues which they are raising, I mean the boat owners are taken up by the minister,” he added.
The minister said that it is the responsibility of boat owners to provide facilities to the labourers in terms of amenities and toilets to ensure that hygiene is maintained.
“Workers are not using such toilets as they have to pay. The association have agreed principally that they will pay for the usage of the toilet,’ he added.
Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira, Velim MLA Cruz Silva, and Velim Sarpanch Veena Cardozo also expressed concern over the deaths of the migrant crew members at the jetty.
“The boat owners are equally responsible when their crew dies. I have been told 2-3 workers were brought dead at the hospital. They have to pay the compensation to the kin of the deceased,” they said.
