Team Herald
PANJIM: Thanks to yet another U-turn from the Goa government, offshore casino vessel Deltin Jaqk could continue operations anchored in River Mandovi even after the deadline to move to an alternative site ends on August 29.
The BJP-led coalition had initially decided to suspend operations of vessels that fail to shift out of the river within the given time frame. But the August 13 notification inviting suggestions from the public, including stakeholders, over the shifting of vessels to either at Aguada Bay, Rivers Sal, Chapora or Zuari, within 15 days, i.e. one day before the deadline for Deltin Jaqk ends, has raised eyebrows and is attracting criticism.
The notification, inviting public suggestions was just a sly ploy to go back on its solemn promise, which was, in clear terms, as follows: If the casino boat does not shift out of the River Mandovi on the day its licence expires, its licence will not be renewed.
Significantly, the deadline for the public, which includes casino operators, to give their feedback and suggestions (which was never part of the plan) ends of August 28, a day before the first licence expires. That’s perfect timing since it allows the government to say on August 28 that they have received suggestions and they need to renew the licence of Deltin Jaqk without moving it from the Mandovi, in the interest of tourism and economy.
If that decision by the Chief Minister is to be honoured, then on August 29, the first of the casinos whose licences are expiring, Deltin Jaqk should turn into just a boat and not a casino. In June, the government had assured that Deltin Jaqk will be the first to halt operations followed by M V Casino Pride 1, Deltin Royale and Casino Pride 2 if any of the four identified sites is not finalized for shifting these vessels by year-end. These would, however, continue to anchor as ‘vessels sans operations’ until shifted.
But there are behind the scenes moves to keep it right there on the Mandovi at Panjim and let it continue operations. Likewise, for all other casinos.
The Home Department had even tentatively chalked out a mechanism to ensure that the operators do not violate the law and a joint team comprising of under secretary (Home) and officials from Excise, police and related government agencies would conduct surprise checks to ensure there is no violation.
But that script has changed. The written script though is being played out. “The suggestions will help the government take a decision where to shift the vessels. A notification in this regard was issued just recently. This is particularly the reason why the government has not decided whether to discontinue Deltin Jaqk’s operations,” a reliable source in the Home department told Herald.
In 2013, the cabinet decided to grant conditional licenses to each of the four casino operators for five years with an undertaking to shift out of River Mandovi within two years of signing it. It almost appeared that the government was committed to banning the vessels from operating as casinos.
Interestingly, after identifying the four locations, which were agreed to by the stakeholders in a meeting with the government, the latter had accepted the former’s condition to provide suitable infrastructure. Now, casinos operators are taking a stand that unless the government provided infrastructure they cannot move. This situation works well with both the government and the casino operators. The government doesn’t provide alternate infrastructure and the casinos use it as a cause to remain right here in Panjim.
