There have been lots of promises about
offshore casinos. When Manohar Parrikar,
now the defence minister of the
country, was in opposition he led an agitation
to get the casinos out. The opposition
even had candle light protests to oppose the
casinos.
Then the enemy was the Congress.
Now the boot is on the other foot. And
the BJP is in power. Now casinos are not so
much of an anathema any more with the
government very clearly coming out and
saying that they need the money from casinos.
And even more shockingly – in case any
strict action is taken, then investors to the
state might get upset.
The high rollers came from all over the
country. But locals too took their hard
earned money as the addictive gene took
over and they could not leave and let it
alone.
Families were destroyed, businesses went
kaput and even property was sold to fuel the
gambling habit.
“The rules are still being drafted,” says additional
secretary, Home Sanjiv Gadkar under
whose department the licensing process is
under. However, this refrain is being heard
for almost the past decade since the time the
first casino got its permission in the government
led by Francisco Sardinha and supported
by Manohar Parrikar led BJP.
But till date there is no gaming commission
and absolutely no control over the way
the vessels operate. They are literally a law to
themselves .
The captain of ports says that the vessels
are seaworthy, making it very clear that this is
his jurisdiction while the Goa State pollution
control board says that it monitors the
garbage and sewage issues.
The casinos have a garbage contractor
who collects garbage from the vessels . But
where he dumps it is million dollar question.
And the Board does not monitor that.
Activists like Sabina Martins and her
AAAAG has been protesting against Casinos
since almost 2009. She alleges that they are
a poison to society and will result in a decay
of moral values and relates how families
have been destroyed because of these casinos.
AAAAG is also quite upfront in pointing
out to double standards by politicians on the
issue.
