Team Herald
VASCO: The news of making provisions to shift casinos in Zuari from Mandovi has become a talk of the town in all nook and corners of Chicalim, Sancoale and Cortalim villages. Likewise, people of Sancoale, even the villagers of Chicalim and Cortalim, beside the villagers groups from these villages have decided to oppose any move of shifting Casinos in River Zuari from Mandovi.
According to sarpanch of Chicalim Projyoti Kudalkar, shifting of casinos has been opposed by the villagers in past and thus the panchayat would stand by its earlier decision as the same would disturb the peace in Chicalim Village.
“Though I am yet to formally talk to my members on this issue, however, I am personally against shifting of casinos in river Zuari on various grounds. First, we have to respect the villagers concerns as they have already adopted resolution to oppose such shifting of casinos in our neighbourhood on the grounds that local youths would fall victims as they would tempt towards casinos if the same is located close to our village. Similarly, the parents and especially mothers would be more worried for their sons as such addiction would then start affecting the families,” she told herald.
Similarly, Rahul D’Costa, a panch member from Chicalim Village claimed that “Why only Zuari, if the government wants to shift casinos then they can very well look for other options elsewhere but not on Zuari. I am glad that even the members from opposition group have extended their support to our decision and we would formally hold a press conference soon to oppose the same” he told.
The CVAC too has raised similar concerns on shifting of casinos. A meeting of CVAC members was held on Monday evening and the members present have unitedly decided to object and oppose shifting of casinos any such move. “We were shocked to know about shifting of casinos and that too in the river front, close to Chicalim village. We will not allow such menace in our neighbourhood” he claimed.
The CVAC has resolved to hold a public meeting at Dabolim on Sunday evening.
It was also resolved to mobilise the residents of Mormugao taluka including those in the panchayat jurisdiction as well in Vasco.
Likewise, Chicalim Panchayat, even the Cortalim – Quelossim Village panchayat in past have officially adopted resolution to oppose shifting of Casinos into Zuari river waters soon after the proposal was announced. Cortalim- Quelossim village Panchayat Sarpanch Hilario Figueiredo has again reiterated that he along with the villagers would continue to oppose such decision to shift casinos in river Zuari.
“When we have raised our objections to granting permissions to a tourist vessel then how can we would allow casinos on Zuari? We are firm with our decisions and will now allow such shifting and if required we all would be ready for agitation,” he claimed.
