Addressing the media, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Luizinho Faleiro said it is unfortunate that Goa has become the sin city of India, with alarming casino activities, gambling, prostitution and drug menace. “Congress will soon work out a plan to raise the issues of drugs and casinos at the higher level,” he said.
Admitting that the former Congress government allowed offshore casinos in the State, Faleiro accused the BJP-led government of failing to move these vessels out of Goa’s waters. “People who made casinos as their election issue, who objected to vessels in River Mandovi, have allowed them to operate in the city. They (BJP) are happily polluting the River Mandovi by allowing more and more casino vessels,” Faleiro claimed.
“80 percent of visitors to casinos are Goans. It is only during the weekends that you see inflow of tourists. It is a dangerous trend to see that generations are getting destroyed due to casino culture,” Faleiro said.
The former Chief Minister said he wants to see a Goa that is safe for the present and future generations.
The party celebrated 10 years of implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), under which Rs 1,39,000 crore have been paid directly to rural households.
“With this scheme, India becomes the first country in the world to ensure that the poor and marginalized sectors of our country develop and progress. This has been acknowledged by World Bank and World Development Fund,” Faleiro said.
