Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that his government was serious about removing casinos from the Mandovi. “I had opposed casinos, we are serious about removing casinos out of River Mandovi, wait till Monday, I will clear all doubts,” he said.
Parrikar also said that all six casinos licenses were granted by the Congress government when Ponda MLA Ravi Naik was Home Minister.
Parrikar, in his reply to the Governor’s speech on the floor of the House, said he does not favour casinos and has been opposing them since 1994. He further said that the amendment to the Gambling Act for floating casinos was introduced during the Congress government and not BJP.
He pressed a caveat though by saying, “I cannot throw the investors who had invested hugely in Goa and which were brought in by you (Congress) and now asking me to clear this mess. All six permissions were granted by Ravi Naik when he was Home minister,” Parrikar said.
Stating that Rs 150-200 crore investment on casino vessels was promoted by the then government, Parrikar said he will answer specifically on casinos on Monday during the discussion on demands.
“We have opposed Kanda casino’s entry in the court, it was under the direction of court that the vessel tried to come inside. I have the full file here with me where there were instructions on file to issue casino licences within 48 hours, there is an order here in files,” Parrikar said, targeting the Congress MLAs. “Once it happens, to change it, it is not so easy,” he added.
He said that BJP has not increased even a single casino license in River Mandovi. “I have not given licence to the seventh casinos which is lying in the river for last eight years. Right now only five licences are operational, the sixth license is renewed only on court’s direction,” Parrikar told the House.
Speaking about the recent grounding of the casino vessel off Miramar, Parrikar said that it was a court order and on that basis they were trying to come into the river.
