PANJIM, AUG 18
The State Government will conduct inspection of feeder boats on August 21 and 22 that are used by casino operators to ferry customers to casino vessels and back. The report would be prepared on August 25.
The Advocate General Subodh Kantak appearing on behalf of the State Government made the statement today morning in respect to the petition plea filed by M/s High Street Cruises and Entertainment Pvt Ltd that operate Casino Royale.
The Captain of Ports (CoP) last week had directed stopping of feeder boats claiming that NOCs granted to casino vessels plying in Mandovi had expired. In fact, it was a sequel to the announcement made by the Minister for Ports & Tourism Mickky Pacheco in the Goa assembly.
The counsel for the petitioner however submitted that it should be allowed to ply the vessel in river Mandovi and use feeder boats as it has obtained certificate from Mumbai Maritime Boat.
The certificate was issued on August 3, 2009 and is valid till March 2010, he said.
The certificate has to be endorsed by CoP but it declined to endorse it despite repeated requests, he said.
The Court maintained that, meantime, Casino Royal make alternative arrangement to carry passengers from jetty to casino vessel and posted the matter for further hearing on August 26.
The NOCs granted to Pride of Goa, The Leela, Casino Royale, San Domino and Caravela, expired earlier this year whereas, the validity of the NOC of Arabian Sea King ends in October, this year.
