PANJIM: On June 5, 2015, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar made a categorical statement that all four offshore casinos would be moved out of River Mandovi, but even three months later the government is yet to get its act together.
According to the announcement, Deltin Jaqk has to move out on August 29, 2015, as per the undertaking given. It should be followed by Casino Pride on September 12, Casino Pride II on December 3 and Deltin Royale on December 23.
The government had said that in case an alternative location is not finalised within the deadline, the vessels will continue to be anchored in River Mandovi but casinos will have to stop gaming activities.
However, with just two days left for moving the casinos out, the government seems to be still undecided where to move the casinos.
Additional Secretary (Home) Sanjeev Gadkar said the decision on shifting the casinos has to be taken by the government and they are only the implementing agency.
Asked whether the government will stop gaming activities of Deltin Jaqk on August 29, Gadkar said, “It is up to the government, as it is only the undertaking period that is expiring, not the licence. The operators have already paid the annual recurring fees. Government may decide to extend the time-limit for shifting of casinos.”
A casino owner, speaking to Herald on condition of anonymity said, “The dates of deadlines is nearing but the government is yet to identify an alternative location. It is the government which has to take a decision, we are ready to move anywhere provided we get proper infrastructure.”
He added, “The government also needs to give us proper time for shifting. It just cannot be done overnight.”
Asked what would be their stand in case the government asks them to stop operations, the operator said, “Well, we have other options open but let the government decide first, why should we talk of that now?”
In the June meeting, chaired by Parulekar, the offshore casino operators had unanimously agreed to move their vessels out of river Mandovi provided the government make available suitable infrastructure like jetties. Their demands also included that government build jetties for the respective vessels from where the feeder boats will pick and drop passengers.
The government had identified three places – Aguada Bay, Zuari river and Chapora river – as alternatives for the gaming vessels but following protests in these areas Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had recently called for suggestions and objections from the public. The deadline for this ends on Friday. Home Department has so far received only six suggestions.
“The suggestions are mostly against shifting of these casinos in their areas as it would cause law and order problems, others said there are anti-social activities being carried at casinos whereas some felt it would hurt fishing business badly,” Gadkar told Herald.
He said only one suggestion came for shifting casinos to the high seas. No alternative location was suggested for the casinos.
Herald understands that legally there is very little the government can do now and is only giving fake assurances to the citizens as the licences of the casinos will expire in 2018 since they were renewed in 2018 contrary to the Cabinet decision taken on August 14, 2013 which stated, “Licences of all those offshore casinos expiring on or before 31/3/2014 may be considered for a extension for a period not exceeding two years to enable them to make alternative arrangements of moving out of Mandovi.”
Contrary to this decision, the government went ahead and renewed the licences for a period of five years.
On casinos shifting too, the cabinet decision seemed to be vague. It states: “While the government is committed to remove all offshore casinos from River Mandovi, it needs to keep in mind various issues including investor confidence which is a pre-requisite for attracting investments into the State, it is therefore important that a policy framework is created so that offshore casinos operating from River Mandovi are removed within the promised timeframe and as per defined norms.”
Herald is in possession of the undertakings given by all the casino owners. Casino Deltiin Jaqk undertaking states “without prejudice, we, Victor Hotels and Motels Ltd, undertake to relocate our vessels to a suitable location out of River Mandovi on or before August 29, 2015 with necessary approvals which will be granted by the appropriate authorities.”
