PANAJI
The Congress has alleged that the construction of structures on the jetties by offshore casino operators in Panaji has been done without any approvals from the CCP, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, North Goa Planning and Development Authority and the Directorate of Health Services.
The party has handed over a list of illegalities committed by these operators on the banks of the river Mandovi to the CCP and seven other related departments in the state.
GPCC spokesperson Sidhanath Buyao said that the structure put up by Casino Maharaja, ostensibly for an office, has blocked a footpath in clear violation of the direction issued by the High Court of Bombay at Goa. “Although the off-shore casino operators have been granted short-term permissions, they are using the jetties to construct toilets and VIP lounges,” Buyao said.
Buyao pointed out specifically to Casino Deltin Jaqk (using the jetty of the Fisheries Department), Casino Pride 1 (jetty of the Captain of Ports Department) and casinos Deltin and Pride 2 (jetty of the River Navigation Department).
Moreover, the Congress alleged that the toilets have been constructed illegally on pedestrian footpaths and that waste is directly discharged in the river Mandovi thereby causing pollution.
“The operation of casinos in the river is creating a lot of traffic inconvenience to the general public on shore as vehicles, including those ferrying customers who go on these boats, are parked illegally on Dayanand Bandodkar road,” Buyao said.
Besides this, the Congress charged that none of the vessels used as off-shore casinos have sea-worthiness certificates putting the lives of thousands of people at stake.
According to the letter, none of the casino operators have trade licenses from the CCP to carry out ticketing and allied activities without preventive fire mechanism in place. The GPCC has urged the departments concerned to take necessary action within seven days.
