Says lapsed licences will not be renewed nor would any transfer permitted
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: The Manohar Parrikar government which was put on the mat during Question Hour over non-shifting of casinos from River Mandovi, made its stand clear by saying, that licences of off-shore casinos that had lapsed would not be renewed, nor would any transfer of licences be permitted henceforth.
“If a licence has lapsed the matter is over,” Chief Minister and Home Minister Manohar Parrikar said, Wednesday, clearing the air on the vexed issue. He further pointed out that the government will cancel the provision for transfer of licences which was effected by the previous government.
Parrikar said that presently five out of the six off-shore casinos have valid licences. However, only four are operational. One off-shore casino which has a valid licence is not operational and another has no valid licence and is defunct.
The four off-shore casinos operating in River Mandovi as on Wednesday include Casino Carnival, Casino Pride, Casino Royale and Casino Caravela.
Parrikar clarified to the House Wednesday that once a licence of an off-shore casino lapses it ceases to be a casino and is treated as an ordinary boat.
The Chief Minister informed the House that the M V Leela which is currently anchored in River Mandovi is defunct and action is being initiated to attach it and auction it through the Tourism department as was done in the case of River Princess. He also said that casinos not paying their dues will not be allowed to operate and would have to furnish a bank guarantee. He pointed out that in case of M V Leela the government is persuading the owner to pay up his dues of Rs 13 crore.
Parrikar said that if the owner tries to sell the casino, the government would not renew the licence nor it would allow any transfer.
Parrrikar was replying to queries raised by Vijai Sardesai, Independent MLA of Fatorda and supplementary queries raised by Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco.
During the discussion, Opposition leader Pratapsing Rane voiced concerns over sewage disposal by the casinos into the river. The Chief Minister however said that the sewerage was off-loaded from the vessels into tankers and taken to the Tonca sewerage treatment plant.
Earlier opposition leader Rane also said that boats which are not operating as casinos but continue to have gaming machines should be taxed. Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane also voiced apprehensions that North Indians would come to Goa with illegal money and invest in casinos and urged the government to act tough and not to permit transfer of licences.
Parrikar however did not reply to a query from Vijai Sardesai on how the government plans to decongest River Mandovi of off-shore casinos. In a written reply to the House the Chief Minister said that illegal casinos in River Mandovi will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Parrikar: Give jobs to Goans on casinos
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said, that licences of all casinos, which do not give preference in employment to Goan, would not be renewed, in the near future. He also said that the credentials of every casino employee would be scrutinized by police in next one month.
“These casino operators cannot take Goans for a ride. Action will be initiated against all casinos who employ outsiders and take locals for granted,” he said adding “by next Assembly session, we will make sure that credentials of all employees are reviewed by police.”
Parrikar was responding to a calling attention motion tabled by Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte regarding fear and apprehension in the minds of Goan employees working in casinos, who are illegally retrenched without giving any reasons. The Chief Minister said that work visa would be made mandatory to all foreign nationals, who are employed in Goa.
Earlier, Khaunte said that locals are been replaced by non Goans, mostly Nepalese, and government had not initiated any steps to check the recruitment process of casinos. Khaunte sought to know the steps government would take to resolve the issue of retrenchment of Goan casino employees.
In yet another reply, Labour Minister Avertano Furtado assured the State Legislative Assembly to initiate action against all those resorts, who indulged in employing foreign nationals without work visas. “Action will be taken as recruiting foreign national is illegal,” he said while responding to the concern raised by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo over recruitment of foreign nationals in resorts in Calangute constituency.
Earlier a calling attention was moved by Sanguem MLA Subhash Phaldessai over terminating jobs of 200 employees by M/s Prestige Holiday Home Resort.
Furtado said that joint meetings were convened by the office of the Labour and Employment Commission with the management to resolve the matter. “The management offered to take back 144 employees. Till date, 63 employees have resumed their work and the offer is open for the remaining employees also.” he said.
