Goa Government Once Again in Confusion Over Casino Relocation

Casinos in Goa
  • Profile picture
  • PG News December 28, 2015
  • 2 Minutes Read

The four offshore casinos in Goa are once again in centre of the storm, with heavy confusion amid the different departments over their relocation out of the River Mandovi. According to reports, the Captain of Ports (CoP) has received several objections to its proposal of four destinations for the shifting.

Initially, the Goa govt had announced the shift before the end of 2015, but in Aug, while renewing licenses changed the deadline to March 31, 2016 or when suitable alternate locations were found. The rivers Chapora, Sal, Zuari and Aguada Bay were the shortlisted locations identified by the CoP and a decision was awaited for the final choice.

The Home Department had even invited stakeholders to submit their comments and objections, based on the report by the CoP. As per recent reports, the CoP had received more than 2,450 letters objecting to the proposed locations from casino operators, employees, natives and others. A strong reservation came forth from the local fishing community, which expressed apprehension over loss of livelihood due to the dredging of the waters to accommodate the casinos.

In lieu of the matter, CoP James Braganza even went on record to state that should the govt reject these locations, it would be a difficult task to find a viable alternative. He further put the onus of decision on the govt, saying that they would take the call on the shifting, despite the objections.

On their part, the casino operators have officially agreed to shift, if the govt was willing to provide all necessary infrastructures for operations, such as sewage and garbage disposal, jetties, roads and safety to visitors.

The offshore casinos have long been a contentious issue for the ruling Goa govt and the BJP had taken a strong stand, promising removal of them, when Manohar Parrikar (now Defence Minister) was Chief Minister of the state. Subsequently, Laxmikant Parsekar, current CM had softened the stand by claiming that casinos brought in vital tourism revenues. Parsekar did reiterate the govt’s election manifesto of removing them from the River Mandovi, but with this new development, the issue seems set for murky waters once again.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Top Online Poker Rooms

Top
PokerGuru