PANJIM: Raising its strong opposition to State government’s plan to relocate offshore casinos from River Mandovi to Aguada Bay, the Congress on Friday said that the move will further boost prostitution and drug activities in the tourism belt of Calangute-Candolim.
Addressing media persons, Congress spokesman Agnelo Fernandes said that the Congress and people of Calangute will not allow casinos to come along Aguada Bay and go to any extent to oppose it.
“We strongly condemn the State government’s proposal to relocate the offshore casinos in the Mandovi River to the Aguada Bay. The tourism belt is already suffering due to social evils such as prostitution and drugs. We don’t want that to mushroom in the guise of casinos,” Fernandes said.
“Calangute, which is an institution of prostitution and drugs, will further flourish if casinos are shifted there,” he said adding that Calangute MLA and Minister Michael Lobo, who today says that casinos are part of tourism, will tomorrow promote prostitution setting example that Bangkok strives on sex tourism.
“We have enough evils there and we don’t want more,” the Congress leader stated.
Fernandes also said that Aguada Bay, which is a very dangerous site, is home to the dolphin species, which will be put at risk if the casinos are shifted there.
Fernandes questioned that when Panjim MLA Atanasio Monserrate is against having casinos in his constituency due to public opposition as it is a social evil, why our MLA wants to shift to our constituency?
“It is not going to benefit anyone. People have already started complaining,” he said.
Congress leader’s comment comes at the backdrop of Port Minister Michael Lobo directing Captain of Ports to identify suitable location at Aguada Bay to relocate the off shore casinos.
Currently, there are six off shore casinos operational in River Mandovi and are granted six months extension to operate till March 31, 2020.
