Team Herald
PANJIM: With the offshore casino vessel M V Lucky 7 now lying grounded off Miramar beach, it has now come to light that the tug’s lines parted when the towing exercise began on July 13.
Sources said the Haryana politician Gopal Kanda-owned Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd (GGHPL) had procured two tug boats from Mumbai to tow the vessel, and had hired a third tug from L&T Company to monitor the exercise. “During the towing exercise, one of the tug lines parted because of the rough sea. The firm was informed about the rough weather and choppy sea but they defied the advisory of the Ports Administration,” said a senior official wishing anonymity.
The Captain of Ports in its affidavit before the High Court of Bombay at Goa had submitted that it was dangerous to even attempt to bring in the vessel before September 15. “But despite the warning, the crew of the vessel tried to sail it in River Mandovi,” sources said.
The Court, in its order last month, had asked CoP to inspect the third tug and then allow the vessel at a designated place in River Mandovi. State Advocate General Dattaprasad Lawande had told the bench that one of the three tugs was not of the required specification and therefore permission was not granted to the casino to enter the river.
“After verifying the material produced by the petitioner (firm) and a site inspection, it was found that that out of the three tugs provided by the petitioners, only two were meeting the specifications. As far as the third tug is concerned it has a bigger draught than required which does not meet the required specifications,” the AG had submitted.
The company then assured to provide higher power tugs as per the specified standards. “The CoP shall, accordingly, proceed to examine all such aspects immediately after the third tug is made available by the petitioner proceed to grant the necessary permission to get the vessel at the place earmarked and fixed by the CoP. Needless to say that this exercise will be at the own risks of the petitioner and shall be carried out in terms of the directions and supervision of the CoP,” the order by division bench had stated.
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Take it back to MPT, CM tells vessel owners
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday issued instructions to the owners of Lucky 7 to tow the vessel back to Mormugao Port Trust (MPT).
Parrikar said that for now, it is just a vessel and there is no other permission granted to it. “We had told them (owners of casino) that you cannot come to River Mandovi due to weather conditions. We had even informed the High Court that during the closure of the port there is a sand bar that gets generated. But the company had given an undertaking that they will take all precautions,” the CM said.
He added, “Since the casino owner had gone to the High Court and the court had asked us to consider their request, we had given them the opportunity.
But now, we cannot take the risk.”
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Govt to give offshore casinos option to come oN land
PORVORIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday said the government will spell out its policy on casinos during the monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly, beginning on Tuesday. The BJP-led coalition government is expected to grant three years time to offshore casino operators to convert into land casinos, in a bid to move out all offshore casinos vessels from River Mandovi.
To promote live gaming on land casinos, once converted, the government will also introduce necessary amendments to the Goa Gambling Act.
Speaking to media persons after casting his vote in the President’s election, Parrikar said, “The policy will speak about casinos in the State,” refusing to give details. “I cannot disclose anything about the policy as it might amount to breach of privilege,” he added.
Highly placed sources revealed that the policy will dwell on conversion of offshore casinos into land casinos. “Offshore casino owners would be given an option either to shift out of River Mandovi within the six months granted earlier or to convert into land casinos. For conversion, three years time would be granted,” sources said.
“If the casino operators opt for land casino proposal, the government will have to further amend the Goa Gambling Act to allow live gambling on land casinos. But this would be only for those who convert it from offshore to onshore casinos,” sources explained.
Currently, there are five offshore casinos operational in River Mandovi of which two are operated by the Pride Group and Delta Corp is operating the other three.
The government in March had granted the five offshore casinos six months to shift to an alternative site. The coalition government in its Common Minimum Programme had announced it would have a casino policy for the State.
