Team Herald
PERNEM: The news of introducing casinos in Pernem Taluka has yet again awaked active citizens and organisations in the taluka.
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However, on the other hand, many people including the villagers of Dhargal, where the project is supposed to have planned, are still unaware of the same.
In January, active villagers and organisations, especially the Pernem Citizen Forum, raised their objection to the casino project in Pernem Taluka. Forum had also created awareness amongst the people regarding the project by holding corner meetings and distributing pamphlets. However, when COVID-19 pandemic hit the State, the issue went out of focus.
It is now come to the knowledge of people that a first land-based integrated, casino-cum-hospitality project in the State is coming up in Pernem Taluka, which will include a five star resort, convention centre, multiplex cinemas, retail areas, electronic casinos, water park, banquet facility and eight children’s entertainment areas.
The company claimed that this project will boost tourism, 4,000 employment and infrastructure of the State of Goa and the company has received principle approval from Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board.
Meanwhile, In January, the villagers had objected to this project since they knew that it will be a land casino. However, now they have learnt that this project will include other services too. Reliable sources informed that the said company has acquired around 4.27 lakh sqmts land at Sukekolan in Dhargal village for the said project and the company has constructed a compound wall after obtaining the NOC from the local panchayat.
Sources informed that in 2006, this particular land was acquired by one minister for an IT project. Later, he sold the land to a Mumbai based company. In 2018, the Mumbai based company sold this land to a casino owner who now wishes to have a land casino here which is at presently stationed in Mandovi River.
Member of Pernem Citizen Forum Rajmohan Shetye said,” If the government wants casinos to run legally in the State then government should also legalise local gambling/matka. This government is forcing such projects on the people even when people are objecting to it.”
Bharat Bagkar, president said,”The said land mentioned in the proposal is mostly agricultural land and most of it is an irrigated areas under Tillari Irrigation. The casino owner, who is considered the king of the casino industry in India, and now when the government has approved the gaming zone in the Dhargal area, the people are worried about it especially because of the casinos and allied activities that will have an adverse effect on the village nature, culture, heritage and education.”
Sarpanch Dhargal Panchyat Sunita Raul said, “Panchayat hasn’t received any application or intimation regarding this project. If the project is going to generate employment then we will support it but if the villagers are against it then panchayat will stand with the villagers.”
