the goan I network
MARGAO
Asserting that the Goa government is submissive to casinos, Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco on Wednesday said that none of the tourist states of India have a flawed tourism policy like Goa where casinos have become alpha and omega of tourism, turning the State into a sin city.
“As the closure of mining has affected the State’s economy and increased the unemployment numbers, I would request the State government to try and open environment-friendly industries across Goa as it would be a win-win situation for the State and Goemkars,” Reginaldo said.
Referring to the government decision to grant NOC/permission for the ninth onshore casino to be opened in a starred hotel at the Kadamba plateau, he said it has now become crystal clear that the State government was submissive to casinos.
“I have been repeatedly stating that the State government would never ever act against the casinos as it is solely dependent on this gambling industry to finance its BJP party both locally and nationally,” he added.
“How desperate the BJP state government is towards casino money can be gauzed by the fact that the aforesaid nod for the ninth casino was given just before the code of conduct was enforced for the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) election. The State government’s green signal for the new onshore casino on Kadamba Plateau would be operated on 300 square metres of the hotel and it will house four roulettes and 17 electronic card games,” he said.
Reginaldo pointed out that when BJP was in opposition in the State, the party had told the people of Goa that they were against casinos and would get them evicted once they came to power in the State. “Late CM Manohar Parrikar had even said on the floor of the House in August 2012 that casino money is a curse and it should be only used for old-age homes or for treating ailments of elderly like Alzheimer. Since March 9, 2012, when BJP assumed power in Goa it keeps on giving false promises on establishing a gaming commission, shifting of offshore casinos from Mandovi river, banning entry of Goans, etc,” he added.
He requested the State government led by BJP to take a leaf from the neighboring State of Karnataka led by their own party government which has ruled out the opening of casinos in the state. “Very recently, the Karnataka Tourism Minister C T Ravi has made a statement that there are no plans to open casinos to boost tourism in Karnataka,” he said.
