PANJIM: Independent MLAs from North Goa have accused the BJP-led government of being an “agent” of the casino industry with offshore casinos being a vital fund raising source for the saffron party ahead of the 2017 State Assembly elections.
Addressing the media, Independent MLAs Rohan Khaunte (Porvorim) and Naresh Sawal (Bicholim) condemned the government’s decision to grant a further extension of one year to offshore casinos to shift from River Mandovi. The MLAs have demanded that the casino vessels be directed to relocate to the deep sea, around 12 nautical miles from the Goa coast.
“BJP government is an agent of the casino industry. With elections, set to approach soon, the saffron party has begun to tap various fund-raising sources and the casino industry is one amongst them. They will play important role in election funding for BJP,” Khaunte alleged.
Accusing the government of playing with the sentiments of the people, Khaunte said that all decisions regarding the shifting of casinos are bound to be taken as per the wishes of the industry. “One such move is a government proposal to convert these offshore casinos into land casinos. With introduction of live gaming on land casinos, the government is further encouraging the industry to bloom,” the MLA said.
The MLAs strongly opposed the government’s effort to identify an alternative site for the relocation of these vessels, claiming that government rather than acting as ‘land dealer’ should direct vessels to shift to the deep sea. “I don’t understand the logic behind the government identifying sites for these vessels to relocate,” he said.
Khaunte, who had exposed the illegal license granted to M V Royale Floatel, the fifth casino in river Mandovi, has slammed the government for granting operational permission to the floatel, in complete violation of the law. “The license granted to the floatel is a transfer license of M V Caravela, which had expired in December, 2014. As per a cabinet decision of 2013, the government had made it clear that no permission would be granted to casino vessels whose license expires after March 31, 2014,” he said.
“The government had assured on the floor of the House that no new casinos would be permitted but in yet another U-turn, they have allowed the floatel,” he said. Khaunte alleged that the government is also in the process of bringing back casino M V Maharaja into Goan waters.
The MLAs have questioned the delay in finalization of a casino policy, which proposes setting up of gaming commission, to regulate and monitor the casino industry.
