Three sealed
PANJIM, MARCH 24
Almost a week after the Goa State Pollution control Board directed the North Goa Collectorate to close down four casinos for violating the Hazardous Waste Management Act, the district administration today sealed three off shore casinos plying in the Mandovi river.
The district administration took almost a week to act on the GSPCB notices after the board issued notices on March 18 asking the four casinos to suspend operations for gross violations by these casinos.
The GSPCB said that the casinos had failed to obtain its authorisation under rule 5 (1) of the Hazardous Waste Rules.
However, out of four only three – Casino Rio, Caravela and Maharaja, were sealed by the officials as they did not have the GSPCB licence which is mandatory under Hazardous Waste Management Act.
North Goa Collector K Singh today confirmed the sealing stating that the officials from Bardez and Tiswadi taluka executed the sealing.
The action, however, came against only three casinos including Casino Caravela which has been in the State waters for nine years.
The reason for not sealing Pride of Goa could not be ascertained despite several attempts to contact the officers.
The pollution control board had issued notices after leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar began a crusade against the off shore casinos for severe illegalities.
He had said that the vessels were discharging sewerage in the Mandovi river.
Another government establishment, Food and Drugs administration has already sealed restaurants on the five off shore casinos for operating without valid license.
