PANJIM: Congress has raised its strong objection to State government’s move to shift three offshore casino vessels from Panjim side to Verem side in River Mandovi, while demanding that they be shifted into deep sea.
State government last month issued a notification to shift off shore casino Deltin Caravela towards Verem. It proposes to shift two more casinos in that area. However, the same has been objected by the villagers as well as local MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar.
Addressing media persons on Thursday, Congress spokesperson Tulio de Souza said that the party extends its full support to the people, who were not taken into confidence by the government, before issuing order to shift off shore casino towards Verem.
“The people in Verem-Nerul area are dependent on fishing and if casinos are shifted in that area, their livelihood will be severely affected. Did government take the people of Verem into confidence? Was any study conducted before shifting the casinos there,” he questioned.
The Congress leader pointed out that people of Panjim are opposing casinos because it is a social evil, nuisance and has caused severe pollution in River Mandovi. “Government is now wants to impose the same curse on the people of Verem,” he charged.
Stating that rather than solving the issue permanently, government is shifting the problem, de Souza demanded that the vessels be moved into deep sea.
“With support of the people, we will intensify the agitation against off shore casinos,” he said.
