PANJIM, DEC 1
The Casino Royale, operated by Highstreet Cruises and Entertainment Ltd, is conducting operations in the River Mandovi without trading licence even as the State Government has made no effort whatsoever to stop the operation despite a communication from the Director General Shipping.
Officials, however, preferred to pass the buck to other departments.
The DG Shipping letter signed by Jt Director G L Singh had asked the company for a status report on their trading licence.
“This office may please be intimated about the present status of the vessel at the earliest”, Singh said in the letter.
Further, the letter says, “It may be stated if the vessel is trading without valid licence, in that case action will be taken as per the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 which may please be noted”.
Trading licence is mandatory for obtaining casino licence from the State Home Department.
But even despite this letter, Herald understands the Government has not made any effort to stop operations of Casino Royale.
When Captain of Ports James Braganza was asked for his comments he said his department has not issued licence to the vessel for plying in the Mandovi waters.
“The ship is anchored in river Mandovi and it isn’t plying and hence we cannot take any action”, Braganza told reporters.
Further, he said, it is the responsibility of the Home Department to spot casinos operating without trading licences.
When this reporter questioned Home Department officials they maintained they had moved a file for issuing show cause notice to the operator two months ago but the file was still pending with the Law Department.
