Goa Special Ferry 454.54% price hike: protest letters to Chief Minister, River Navigation Minister

Date: March 09, 2020

To,

The Chief Minister,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa

To,

The Minister for River Navigation,

Government of Goa

Porvorim, Goa

Subject: Protest against Special Ferry Price Hike notification

Sir,

It has come to our attention through notice pasted on Vanxim ferry that River and Navigation department has hiked fare of Special Ferry service from Rs.55/- to Rs.250/-: 454.54% hike on all routes in Goa. We write to express our strong protests as that will adversely affect the public navigating over rivers using Government Ferry service.We would like to remind you that Special Ferry service system was started after an incident in the decade of 1990s wherein Ferry at Vanxim refused to ply at mid-night (00.30 hours) in emergency situation of taking sick person for medical assistance. Late Ligorio F. Silveira brought this issue to the attention of then Captain of Ports and Special Ferry Service system was stared to cater to all needs of plying beyond regular hours.

You are therefore requested to roll back your proposal to hike the special ferry costs and keep it at current rate of Rs.55/-.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

 Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State

Protest against Special Ferry Price Hike proposal

Date: February 27, 2020

To,

The Captain of Ports,

Panjim, Goa

Subject: Protest against Special Ferry Price Hike proposal

Sir,

It has come to our attention through media reports that your office is proposing to hike fare of Special Ferry service from Rs.55/- to Rs.250/-. We write to express our strong protests as that will adversely affect the public navigating over rivers using Government Ferry service. We would like to remind you that Special Ferry service system was started after an incident in the decade of 1990s wherein Ferry at Vanxim refused to ply at mid-night (00.30 hours) in emergency situation of taking sick person for medical assistance. Late Ligorio F. Silveira brought this issue to the attention of then Captain of Ports and Special Ferry Service system was stared to cater to these needs of plying beyond regular hours.

You are therefore requested to withdraw your proposal to hike the special ferry costs and keep it at current rate of Rs.55/-.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

 Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President, Goa State & National Council Member of National Platform of Small Scale Fish Workers (Inland)

Is Mahendra Gaunekar or Ozone corporate behind Vanxim Ferry boat breakdowns?

Date: 17^th May 2016

To,

The Captain of Ports,

Panjim,, Goa

Subject: - Repeated breakdown of Ferry service from Diwar to Vanxim

Sir,

Please investigate the causes of repeated breakdown of Diwar-Vanxim Ferry service. On the Vanxim Feast day on Sunday May 08, 2016 Ferry boat on duty broke down early in the morning at 5.30 am. Then following Sunday May 15, 2016 again Ferry boat broke down at 11.30 am. All this has put people into acute hardships. Kindly investigate the causes of repeated ferry breakdowns. Who is responsible for this? Any foul play involved? Did these breakdowns caused by staff of Ferry boat at the directions from any third party like Mahendra Gaunekar or Ozone Corporate?

Awaiting your investigation report.

Yours sincerely,

Sd/-

Maggie Silveira

President – Goa Unit