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We strongly oppose the berthing of the casino vessel. This is simply not acceptable to us
- Rajendra Arlekar
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PANAJI: Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar asked the Captain of Ports Department to remove the casino vessel MV Royale Flotel from its current berthing in the Mandovi River off the Dr Salim Ali Wildlife Sanctuary.
Speaking to The Goan, Arlekar said that despite seeking a report from the Captain of Ports Department and waiting two days for it, they received none and have now cited provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act to indicate that the casino cannot be berthed so close to a wildlife sanctuary.
“We strongly oppose the berthing of the casino vessel. This is simply not acceptable to us. We will write to the Home Department as well as the Captain of Ports Department, saying that the casino will not be allowed in such close proximity to the wildlife sanctuary,” Arlekar told The Goan.
Arlekar’s move comes a day after a protest at the Ribandar jetty against the berthing of a casino in the Mandovi. The public meeting, which included the presence of MLAs as well as a local BJP councillor besides activists had given the government a 15-day ultimatum to get the casino out of its present location in the Mandovi. Captain of Ports James Braganza refused to commit on the fate of the casino even refusing to answer questions whether they had received any communication from the Forest Department regarding the casino.
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Not possible
to shut down
casinos: CM
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday stated that casinos cannot be shut down as not only the State, but the Centre too is inviting investors by organising various summits.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function, Parsekar said, “Not only the State but even the centre is inviting investors. The licences of existing casinos are being renewed. We are not inviting any more new casinos.”
Parsekar stressed that he was not in support of increasing the number of casinos and that he had increased the tariff to make it unaffordable for common man to visit casinos.
“I would not like to increase the number of casinos. Though, however, I have increased the tariff so that common people are unable to visit casinos. Due to which the number of on-shore casinos has decreased. The number which was as high as 18, has been reduced to a single digit. Some of them have not renewed also,” said Parsekar.
Reacting to the demand to remove the floatel from Mandovi, he said, “There are demands from various front to remove casinos. But I have not brought in any new casinos. This is election year so some are trying to gather crowds and instigate people against the government.”
“Have I kept it there? Those who have completed the required formalities, they have got permissions from the respective departments. I can only tell you that I have not brought in any new casino,” he said.
Pointing out that considering the manifesto of this party he has taken all care to see that there is no new casino, he said, “We don’t encourage. If removal has to be done, that has to be done by following procedures. My government has been doing all efforts. We had directed Captain of Ports to identify some locations as well. It is not that the government was sleeping.”
