Removing casinos from Mandovi will scare off investors

PANJIM: As Panjim by-poll nears with political parties trying to cash in on the heated debate over removal of off-shore casinos from River Mandovi, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has linked its existence to facilitating new environment-friendly investments in Goa.

 He was quick to accuse the Opposition of double standards, first by introducing off-shore vessels to Goa and now demanding its ban.  
“We have chalked out investment promotion policy to promote investments to Goa, which are pollution-free and environment friendly. We need to stress on creating good atmosphere through industrial friendly, employment friendly and investor friendly,” he told reporters on Saturday. 
He asserted that ruling coalition will not grant fresh licenses and is ‘trying to’ look for an alternate space to relocate the vessels from the State capital. The chief minister reiterated that kicking out the existing ones will force new investors to think twice before investing in the State. 
“Renewal of licenses cannot be held back without any reason unless they fail to comply with any rules laid down… There is law for everything. It cannot be stopped suddenly. We cannot give wrong signals to our potential new investors…” he added. “My party has ensured since the beginning that no new casinos will be permitted in Goan waters.”
Reacting to congress’ allegations pointing out government’s failure to move out offshore casinos, the chief minister warned the issue will boomerang on Congress, if it was making it an election issue. 
 Meanwhile, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has denied accepting a national survey report that reveals Goa’s poor performance in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan arguing the State’s cleanliness is better compared to other regions.

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