Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) on Sunday alleged that the Cabinet decision to redefine ‘off-shore casino’ in the Goa Gambling Act, by way of an amendment, would allow casino vessels to operate in all rivers across Goa.
Addressing the media, GSM President Anand Shirodkar alleged that the BJP government “is all out to destroy Goa by making the State the gambling, drugs and prostitution capital of the country.”
“The most recent proof of the government’s intention (to make the State as the gambling, drugs and prostitution capital) is the Cabinet decision to change definitions of ‘Off-shore Casino’ and other terms used in the Goa Gambling Act,” he said.
“The Cabinet decision has to be converted into an amendment to the Goa Gambling Act. But since the elections are round the corner, and there may be no more session of the assembly and this is the main reason why the government took the decision hurriedly,” Shirodkar said.
“The new definition of off-shore can possibly allow all casinos to operate in all rivers of Goa be it Terekhol, Chapora, Mapusa, Cumbharjua channel, Mandovi, Zuari and Sal. With this amendment the government has extended help to casinos,” he added
“While on one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims to have demonetized currency to eradicate black money from the country, the BJP in Goa has decided to multiply casino business in Goa, which seems to be thriving mostly on black money,” he said
He also accused Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar of having hijacked the local BJP unit by allowing Mauvin Godinho’s entry into BJP. “Parrikar is playing mafia politics,” he alleged.
“One of the cases filed against Mauvin by the first BJP government for power theft between 2001-04 is still pending and the BJP has no agitation in welcoming to its fold politicians against whom their own government had filed cases and when one case is still pending,” he added
“There are rumours that BJP is threatening Babu Kavlekar with dire consequences if he does not join BJP before the elections. There have been multiple cases of disproportionate assets filed by ACB against Kavlekar and if he joins BJP, it will be due to a blatant misuse of power by the BJP government. This indicates that BJP cannot contest the election on its own strength. Therefore, it is trying to get these candidates as they have strong base and supporters,” he speculated.
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SC ban on bars is a slap
on govt face, says GSM
Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) on Sunday said that the Supreme Court order of banning bars and liquor shops along the national and State highways is a slap on the face of the government. “The recent order banning liquor shops along the national and State highways from April 1, 2017 is a blunt condemnation of the Goa government’s policy of liberal licensing of Liquor shops,” said GSM President Anand Shirodkar Stating that Goa has been issuing on an average 300 licenses per year between 2012-13 to 2016-17 and it goes without saying that most licences would be for shops located on or near national and State highways. “The Supreme Court was of the opinion that most road accidents in the country were due to drunken driving and the liberal policy of the licensing of shops might have resulted not only free flow of liquor but also liberal flow of funds to those who have been in power,” he said.
