PANAJI
Congress on Sunday questioned the Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government’s move to allow six off-shore casinos to stay put in river Mandovi for six more months.
“Congress party opposes this extension give to casinos,” said Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar in a press conference. Alleging that corruption is involved in granting extension to casinos, Chodankar said that casinos are ATMs of this government.
He also raised a question on the cabinet meeting in which this decision has been made. “At which place this meeting was held and when? Was ailing Chief Minister present at this meeting?” he asked.
It may be recalled that the permissions of the six off-shore casinos to operate in river Mandovi was expiring on Sunday. MV Pride of Goa, MV San Domino’, MV Horseshoe, MV Casino Royale and MV Royale Flotel are the six casinos
Chodankar said that Parrikar has not fulfilled his commitment of shifting the controversial off-shore casino operations out of river Mandovi. He alleged the government has made a Goa Gambling Act 2012, but there is no regulation as a result of which casinos are allegedly carrying out many illegal operations inside. “Casinos are avoiding payment of tax by conducting 90 percent illegal business,” he claimed.
The government has just made a law to demand more kickbacks from the casino industry, he alleged further. He pointed out that casinos are advertising in a school from Raibadar which he said is objectionable.
In March 2018, the Parrikar cabinet had given permission for the casino vessels to be moored in Mandovi river up to September 30. The government at that time had indicated that it would shift the casinos from the river.
Meanwhile, Chodankar also alleged that the BJP government conspired against the mining industry by hurriedly renewing 88 leases between November 5, 2014 to January 12, 2015. These leases were struck down by the Supreme Court.
Congress threatened that they will file a criminal complaint against the two BJP chief ministers Manohar Parrikar and Laxmikant Parsekar for these decisions.
Yatish Nayak Spokesperson of Congress said that the Supreme Ccourt had observed that this decision was not in the interest of mineral development and urgency in decision looked motivated rather than genuine.
