Offshore casinos still sitting pretty

PANJIM, NOV 18
Despite the government’s decision to shift them elsewhere, offshore casinos parked within city limits of the Mandovi  River continue to operate from their “privileged  position”.
In September, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat had declared that three offshore casinos would be shifted towards Ribandar side of the river in the first phase and four other vessels would be relocated in the second phase.
Three offshore casinos were to be moved to the eastern side of the Mandovi bridge, while two were to be shifted to Betim and the southern side of the river in order to decongest the Mandovi channel.
But even two months after the government decision, except for Arabian Sea King which has gone for repairs none of the off-shore have been shifted, said government official
Currently, Pride of  Goa, Casino Royale and Goa Sorte are  conducting their business from their present location.
Apparently, opposition by the locals has proved counter-productive to the offshore casino operators who  are unwilling to move their vessels out of the city limits of the Mandovi River.
“There is pressure on the government as locals are agitating. We do not know whom to listen now and so the government is waiting and watching”, said the government official.
Residents of Ribandar have declared that they will not allow offshore casinos within their jurisdiction, so also   Aldona legislator Dayanand Narvekar has warned that he will not tolerate offshore casinos in his constituency.
Earlier, Panjimites supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had demanded that the government relocate off shore casinos elsewhere in fact, move them away from city limits.   
The government took a policy decision to shift all offshore casinos off Aguada Bay after BJP threatened to intensity its agitation.
The government never implemented its decision and seemed to be dilly-dallying  after the offshore casinos moved the High Court and got temporary relief.