Team Herald
MAPUSA: The locals from Verem, Reis Magos strongly objected to the shifting of casinos from Panjim side to Verem side in River Mandovi.
They also demanded that cruises be shifted back to the Panjim side as it causes inconvenience to them.
At a special gram sabha held on Sunday, the villagers from Verem, Reis Magos and fishermen of the area, unanimously objected to the proposed shifting of the casinos.
The traditional ramponnkars in particular pointed out that if the proposal materialises, then it will destroy their livelihood as all the fishing activity takes place on the Verem side.
They further highlighted the fact that 40 per cent of the villagers are into the fishing business and that fishing areas have already been demarcated amongst them.
“There is a steady depletion of fish because of the presence of casinos and fishermen as it is are not allowed to carry any fishing activity in the radius of 100-200 metres of the casinos,” a local added.
The locals were incensed that neither they, nor the fishermen nor the panchayat were taken into consideration and pointed out that the plan was not beneficial to the villagers.
The locals also raised the issue of cruises at Betim, which they say have troubled them a lot. They gave the example of how buses are parked on the narrow road for the cruises which creates traffic congestion.
The sarpanch clarified that the panchayat does not receive any revenue from the cruise activities. The villagers then demanded to take a resolution to shift the cruises back to Panjim side and forward a copy of that resolution to the Chief Minister and Captain of Ports.
