Reposing faith in his cabinet colleague, Ports Minister Dilip Parulekar, CM Parsekar said, “Why do you want me to speak? Ports minister is looking into the matter, I have full faith in his decision,” Parsekar said.
He said this in response to a question whether casino vessels would be allowed to operate or anchor in river Mandovi, if the government fails to identify an alternative site for relocation by September. The first casino license will expire on August 29. Casino operators were granted operational licenses for five years with an undertaking to shift out of river Mandovi within two years of signing it.
When asked whether the alternative site would be ready by September, the chief minister remained silent and didn’t reply to a question on whether casino vessels would be allowed to operate or anchor in river Mandovi post expiry of the license.
As announced by Parulekar earlier, the government is considering relocating the four offshore casino vessels to Aguada bay by December 2015. The Captain of Ports has identified four locations, including Aguada bay, river Sal, river Chapora and river Zuari.
As per the information, the licence of the casino Deltiin Jaqk expires on August 29, 2015 followed by casino M V Pride of Goa on September 12, 2015, Deltiin Royale in October and casino Pride II’s deadline ending on December 3, 2015.
