The government decision to allow the sixth offshore casino owned by the controversial former Haryana Minister Gopal Kanda, flies completely in the face of its own affidavit filed by the Under Secretary Home that the company’s proposal for renewal was never considered by them nor has it passed any order for renewal in this regard in the past.
The govt is all set to welcome the sixth off shore casino owned by gaming company Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd (GGHPL) – the company promoted by Mr Gopal Kanda.
Herald is in possession of the affidavit filed by the Under Secretary Home Neetal Amonkar on December 7, 2015 stating that the expired casino licence could not be renewed. As per the affidavit filed by Amonkar, the company had applied for renewal of license just three days before the expiry of their licence, on September 23, 2011, which is against the Government own notification in force. “As per the notification in force, the person seeking renewal of the licence had to pay application fee of Rs 5 lakh and has to apply one month in advance”, she said adding that the applicant also needs to have valid NOC from Captain of Ports.
“However, in this case, the company never submitted NOC nor certificate of Registration under the Inland Vessels Act,” she stated.
Amonkar had brought to the notice of the Court that to renew a casino licence, the applicant needs to have a vessel on which the licensee would operate the casino, wherein the company does not have any vessel as the old vessel was removed as it was not safe for plying. “The earlier casino licence given to the applicant was for the vessel Leela and the same cannot be renewed and given for other vessel,” she had made it clear.
All these points were not placed before the High Court while agreeing to renew the casino licence of GGHPL. he state government in July this year, has stated before the Bombay High Court at Goa that it shall favourably consider the application for further renewal of casino licence from the year 2016 in case GGHPL deposits the annual recurring fees of Rs 50 crores. Accordingly, the company has deposited Rs 50 crores in the State treasury.
Now, the GGHPL is all set to commence its operation by November end, wherein it intends to introduce a new vessel, instead of the one, which is already anchored towards Betim water front. As per sources, company has sought permission for mooring of its new vessel in the River Mandovi, the same location where its earlier casino was anchored in 2011.
“The entire move of the government is illegal. The casino licence cannot be renewed. It has to be given fresh and it is also against Government’s policy decision,” social activist Adv Aires Rodrigues, who has challenged Government decision in the Court, said.
However, the Chief Minister has already justified its stand stating that “it is not a new casino. It is the same old casino. It was not operational. They had gone to court as government had not renewed their licence”.
