Daijiworld Media Network - Porvorim
Porvorim, Mar 10: Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, on Monday said the government will convert its helpline for Non-Resident Goans (NRGs) and the diaspora community into a 24x7 service within two days to assist those affected by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Later in the day, the state’s home department announced a special control room number — 0832-2419818 — for people seeking assistance.
Speaking during a calling attention motion in the Goa Assembly, Sawant said the state government is continuously coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs regarding Goans who may require help amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
He added that assistance has already been provided to two families to help them return safely to India.
MLAs raised concerns about the stress and uncertainty faced by Goans living in several countries across West Asia due to the escalating tensions.
Venzy Veigas, MLA from Benaulim, said an elderly Goan, Seby Mascarenhas, had died in Saudi Arabia and his family required assistance to transport the body by road to Doha so it could be flown to Goa for final rites. The chief minister assured support in the matter.
Veigas said he had already set up a helpline for Goans affected by the conflict and suggested that the government should formally take over such efforts. He also called for a platform to provide continuous and reliable updates on the situation and the assistance available to the diaspora.
According to the MLA, nearly 2.5 lakh Goans are living and working across various West Asian countries.
Sawant said the government is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining a cautious watch. While the situation remains volatile, he said there is no need for panic at present.
The chief minister also noted that the Union government had convened a meeting of chief secretaries of all states earlier in the day to discuss assistance for Indians stranded abroad, especially those on short visits or in transit.
Meanwhile, Michael Lobo, MLA from Calangute, warned that the conflict could lead to a shortage of commercial LPG and negatively impact Goa’s tourism sector. He also said that if the war continues, remittances from Goans working abroad may decline and thousands could return home, affecting the state’s economy.
Sawant responded that no shortage of commercial LPG is expected in Goa for at least a month.
Other legislators, including Viresh Borkar from St Andre and Vijai Sardesai from Fatorda, suggested that Goa adopt a structured system similar to that implemented by Kerala to track diaspora members and offer timely assistance.
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao also pointed out that states such as Maharashtra have already begun evacuating their citizens from West Asia and urged the Goa government to take similar steps to ensure the safety of Goans abroad.