Team Herald
PANJIM: The anti-casino activists have slammed the government for encouraging casinos in the promotional video of Goa Tourism while pinning their hope on Panjim MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, who had promised – ahead of Panjim by-polls last month – to remove the off-shore casino vessels from River Mandovi within 100 days.
“We extend complete support to Babush for removal of casino vessels from River Mandovi. He should start his move to fulfil the election promise,” Tara Kerkar, one of the activists supporting the cause, said.
The activists, at the same time, are also uncertain if Babush would keep up his promise considering that the decision requires support of the majority, which is presently vested with the BJP-led coalition.
Activist Sabina Martins has demanded that government amend the existing law in the upcoming monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, to ban promoting casinos. “On lines with alcohol and tobacco, the government should amend the law to stop casino advertisements. The government has earlier made changes to the law to allow and retain the casino vessels, so this kind of an amendment should not be any difficult for them,” she demanded.
While blaming the present government for granting extensions to casinos, the activists also pulled up the successive government for their failure to act against the industry. “Panjim has been nearly destroyed and government says they depend on the revenue from casinos. We, the common man, do not need money from such an industry,” Kerkar said.
