TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Peeved by the appearance of another casino in the Mandovi, the Aam Aurat Aadmi Against Gambling (AAAAG) has hit out at the government for bringing yet another floating casino, even as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar defended himself insisting that the MV Horseshoe was “just a boat” and not a casino.
“While in the opposition Manohar Parrikar led a protest against the casinos and used the people’s movements to come to power. After coming to power, he made several amendments to the Goa Gambling prevention Act in favour of the casinos. Parrikar has been consistently lying and fooling the people of Goa,” convenor of AAAAG Sabina Martins said in a statement.
“On the floor of the House, during Assembly session, Chief Minister Parrikar stated that that he would remove all the casinos. Instead of taking steps to remove the casinos, he has further consolidated the casino industry in the state,” Martins added.
Addressing the media on the sideline of a press conference called on the Chowgule Higher Secondary issue, Parrikar clearly rattled by the publicity over the new casino said: “It is not a new casino. It is just a boat replacing Caravela. The boat has no licence to run a casino and no application has come before me. If the application comes before me, I’ll examine it legally.”
He said that an excise of casino licence given to the Caravela cannot be used to run another ship and that the operators would have to apply afresh for the licence.
The AAAAG is unfazed. “The insincerity and collusion of the Chief Minister becomes evident with the brazen entry of new casino vessel Horse Shoe into the river,” Martins said. They have now predicted the last days of the all things Goan.
“Government’s policies are paving way for new breed of settlers in Goa, namely gamblers. The lifestyles of these gamblers which includes nightlife in gambling dens, escorts, prostitutes, alcohol, illegal transactions, crime. This has adversely affected the locals around the places they are housed. The peace and tranquility of Panjim has been disturbed and safety of people compromised,” Martins said.
“The casino cartel has bought huge tracts of land, properties and flats in Goa. Helipads and jetties are being built with government consent. Huge tracts of lands have been purchased near Mopa. Goa is being gobbled up by casino monopolies,” Martins alleged.
The AAAAG has now called a meeting on Tuesday, 28th May 2013 at 4.30 pm in Institute Piedade Hall, Panjim to chalk the future plan of action..
