PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday categorically stated that the government cannot “abruptly” direct closure or removal of offshore casino vessels from River Mandovi as the possibility of casino operators dragging the government to court exisited.
Parsekar was reacting to growing opposition to shift the casino vessel ‘Deltin Caravela’ anchored near the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Locals, activists, members of civil society, political fronts, religious institutes and BJP workers on Thursday had given the government 15 days to shift the casino.
“Government is not sleeping. We are trying out all possibilities to shift the vessels. The Captain of Ports (CoP) has already been directed to identify an alternative site for relocation of the casino vessels. The process is on,” Parsekar told media persons.
“Since the existing casino vessels have all the required permissions, we cannot abruptly close them down or ask them to move out of Mandovi. We have to give them alternative site. If not, then they can drag us to Court, further delaying the entire shifting process,” he added.
“When they (casinos) have necessary permissions, they have a right,” Parsekar added accusing the opposition for trying to create an unnecessary issue on casinos.
The State government has granted casino a year up to March 31, 2017 to shift out of River Mandovi. There were four offshore casinos operating in Goa until a month back, when the State allowed the entry of a fifth casino.
Parsekar said that government has already moved a file to appoint a Gaming Commission to regulate and monitor the casino industry. “The draft rules are ready and are being vetted,” he said.
The Gaming Commissioner is likely to be given powers to notify the places where the offshore casino vessels can be moored.
CM bats for offshore casinos yet again
Says govt cannot abruptly direct closure or removal of casinos from River Mandovi; asserts CoP is identifying alternative site
