Team Herald
PANJIM: After promising to shift the offshore casinos out of Goan waters, the Congress party has now assured not to renew the liquor licences of the casinos after March 31, should they form the next government.
“Once we form the government after March 11, we will not renew the liquor licences of the offshore casinos after March 31. The liquor business by them is illegal,” AICC Secretary Girish Chodankar told media persons responding to a question on whether offshore casinos should also come within the ambit of the Supreme Court verdict banning sale of liquor within 500 meters of highways.
“But while taking that decision, we will have to take all precautions to ensure that there is no scope left for casino operators to challenge the same before the Court,” Chodankar said.
As reported by Herald, the Excise Department mapping liquor outlets, including bars and restaurants, within 500 meters of national and state highways, have prima facie observed that offshore casinos operating in River Mandovi do not fall within this area and are located around 800 meters from the highway.
Chodankar said the Congress has promised in its election manifesto to remove all offshore casinos out of Goa and a first step would be not to renew their liquor licenses after March 31.
Interestingly, the three month extension granted to offshore casino vessels to relocate from the Mandovi also ends on March 31, with the government yet to identify a site for their relocation. River Mandovi is home to four offshore casino vessels.
