Recently, a well-known and respected doctor felt that new political entrants were in a quandary with reference to casinos, matka and prostitution. “Who would they appease, those thriving on these activities or those bearing the brunt of nefarious activities?” It is a strange question. Strange because it should actually be addressed to the Congress, who tweaked the rules to allow “offshore casinos” without defining offshore. Then the BJP who promised to relocate them offshore changed their mind and allowed the casinos to continue saying that the license was issued by the Congress. CM Parsekar said that he had studied the criticism coming from all corners of Goa and realized it was coming from just one MLA who wanted his Chair. Surely that is not true, the Congress themselves agree it was a huge mistake. So it is not just some political leaders or a respected Doctor but many ordinary Goans feel that the casinos are a nefarious activity.
I had the good fortune of sitting next to a professional cricket bookie who was flying down to Goa to spend four days in the casino. He gave me a low down on the workings. If what he has said is correct, then for us who are not involved it is appalling to say the least. First and foremost is the fact that only cash works and all money is transferred to and from the punter via hawala from across the country or abroad. This itself should be the one and only reason for ensuring that casinos do not operate, hawala networks are used for smuggling, arms trading and terrorism.
Are casinos allowed to subcontract the running of tables? Again, according to my travelling companion, the bookie, the tables are run by operators who offer packages depending on the amount. During off season Rs 10 lakhs are committed and in season nothing less than Rs 25 lakhs. For less you have to make your own arrangements. The amount committed decides the package, train or airfare, type of accommodation and Maruti or BMW. So it is in the operators interest to ensure all seats are full at his table. He earns by taking a certain amount from each game.
The casinos therefore act as a huge catalyst for other industry viz hotels, restaurants and taxis. If shut down, it would be a loss to the local economy. However, people come to a destination based on its value offering. Does Goa with its natural beauty need to attract only punters? Surely if the water ways were opened to commuter boats like is done in Bangkok, not only tourists but even locals would make use of this facility and the hinterland would open up. Hop-on Hop-off bus and ferry services, day tickets or weekly passes and people would love it. Using the Cumbarjua canal one could cross between the two great rivers in Goa, Zuari and Mandovi. If France can exploit the Sienne so much and it is such a small narrow river why not Goa? This activity itself would increase the tourist traffic as it would encourage families to move away from the beach concentric tourism.
If we can allow casinos to operate and have a system in place to move the sewage without polluting the water, we can allow floating restaurants with the same facility. In Europe there are many places you can eat in such restaurants. This requirement for commuter boats and floating restaurants can keep the ship building industry in good stead for years to come. So, let’s look beyond casinos. Goa is blessed and surely does not have to depend on casinos to attract tourists.
Coming to matka, the recent acquittal of those arrested with alleged links to matka is an eye opener. Apparently the paraphernalia of matka bookies ie chits, numbers and a little cash are not recognized in enough to convict. So, at best the police will go back to peacefully coexisting with this form of gambling. Why not make it legal, like the lottery. There is no hawala involved, the amounts are not huge and it is played locally. Yes, it does have the potential to ruin families but so does booze, but it is allowed. If it is legal, all the bookies would be registered and would be free from paying hafta to whoever and the customers would not have any stigma attached, it would be like buying a lottery ticket. Possibly the State would earn some money as taxes and registration fees.
Prostitution, according to my seat mate is the most expensive in Goa, compared to any other State. I take his word for it assuming he has been around. This is in stark contrast to the fact that most jobs in Goa pay less than what one would get in Bangalore or Mumbai. Payment apart, the laws are very clear on this issue, it is illegal and every attempt should be made to stamp it out, mainly because if there is a demand then the possibility of trafficking and exploitation is very high.
So Doctor, it is not only one party’s responsibility to inform the public their view. It is also imperative that every party or independent give their view. The Congress has apologized but has not disclosed their plans while the BJP, as is normal now, has done a U-turn.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
