Team Herald
CANDOLIM: Candolim villagers are up in arms over the permission for a new casino at a starred hotel in Annawaddo.
According to locals they were shocked to read an advertisement in local daily on opening of new casino. “We do not want any casino. As it is lot of people in Panjim are suffering and families have been destroyed,” said a local resident.
Inquiries with Home Department revealed that the casino was granted permission at the fag end of Laxmikant Parsekar government. “The fee for the casino has been paid recently but the licence was approved long back,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.
When contacted, Calangute MLA and Dy Speaker Michael Lobo echoed the sentiments of the locals. “Candolim-Calangute and the entire constituency is happy with its tourism. We do not want any more casinos here,” Lobo said.
He stated that casinos have ruined families and he does not want the constituency to suffer. “Right now there is one casino operating in Candolim we want that to close and the question of starting new casino does not arise at all,” he said.
Lobo said he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. “I will explain to the CM the ills of casinos and how the youth are getting addicted as we do not have any rule banning casinos as of now,” he said.
