BJP threatens criminal plaint

PANJIM, DEC 1
Accusing top officials in the State admini@stration of corruption, the Bharatiya Janata Party threatened to file a criminal complaint if the Government fails to revoke licences of three offshore casinos operators doing business sans any licence.
Addressing a press conference, Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar said three casinos do not have licences from the Director General of Shipping for vessels to ply in the river Mandovi, and hence State Government should not allow them to operate according to norms.
“If the Government fails to take any action by December 19, we will file a criminal complaint”, Parrikar said.
The six offshore casinos have already been the subject of a series of controversies, allegations of scams and protests, both from civil society and the Opposition parties, who have opposed the Goa Government’s decision to have an unlimited number of casinos dotting the waters around Goa.
The former chief minister informed that he had already raised the issue with the Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava and will be taking up the matter with the chief minister too.
The three vessels include Casino Royale and two other foreign vessels.
HIGHWAY: Parrikar also reiterated his demand for a white paper on the National Highways project in the State.
“People should know what the project is all about and how much toll would be charged”, he said. He also wanted clarity on the toll that the Goans would have to pay.
“As per the prevailing rates Goans will have to pay monthly toll fees to the tune of Rs 5000”, he said.
He also termed the statement of PWD Minister Churchill Alemao that a monthly pass of Rs 150 would be given to the locals as a farce.