Addressing the meeting, the speakers slammed the state government for trying to destroy marine life in river Zuari by proposing to shift casinos. They charged that such shifting would benefit few individuals and such a decision would be strongly opposed by them.
“In name of development, the state government first destroyed our fields, then they destroyed the hills and now they want to destroy our rivers. This is not development for the people but development of those in power. We feel that instead of shifting casinos to any other site, the state government should throw casino culture out of Goa as the same has been destroying the identity of Goa and Goans,” said Fr Michael Fernandes.
Auda Viegas, president of Bailancho Ekvott, an NGO, claimed “we have been opposing casinos since the first one was allowed to open shop here. Today, Goa is known for all the wrong reasons, including drugs, prostitution, mafia, gambling, alcoholism and thus instead of taking any decision for shifting, the BJP government should take a bold decision and stop all casino operations.”
From CVAC members to other speakers, including political leaders, everyone was unanimous in resolving to oppose the proposal to shift the casinos to Zuari. They claimed that casinos were the biggest menace to the state and that the casinos did not benefit the locals but have had severe drawbacks. They were also of the opinion that instead of taking any decision to shift the casinos, the state government should down the shutters of the casinos which would provide immense relief to all Goans.
