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PROMINENT VOICES AT THE MEET
* PORVORIM MLA ROHAN KHAUNTE: To save future generations, there is a need to send casinos out of Goa. Already, the crime rate has gone up, prostitution has increased and women’s safety is compromised
* CUMBARJUA MLA PANDURANG MADKAIKAR: Goans from all corners should fight united against these casinos, otherwise these casinos will reach the entire stretch of River Mandovi in nearby villages
* GOA FORWARD'S MOHANDAS LOLIENKAR: Not only politicians, a video is also going viral wherein a newspaper is trying to extort money from casino owners to publish positive reports
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BJP-backedcorporator
threatens to resign
In a setback to the BJP government, the party-backed CCP corporator Rupesh Halarnkar has given 15-days time for the government to remove the casiono, failing which he will resign.
>> See pg 3
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It was a hot afternoon but it did not deter hundreds of residents from Ribandar and neighbouring villages from turning up at a meeting on Thursday, to oppose the anchoring of the floatel Deltin Caravela near Ribandar.
Speakers lambasted the BJP government for its U-turn on the casino issue and gave it a 15-day ultimatum to remove the casino or else, face a bigger agitation.
Speaking on the occasion, Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte regretted having supported the BJP initially as it was a U-turn party, which only believed in self-development.
“Their first vow was to shift casinos from River Mandovi. But till date, they have failed to do so and instead, the government is bringing more and more casinos in the State,” said Khaunte.
“A few days back, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, while referring to casinos, said he had to marry a pregnant lady and that’s why he has to take care of illegal children. But there are already four illegal casinos. So is this fifth casino also illegal,” questioned Khaunte, and criticised Parsekar for stating that the casino license has only been renewed when in fact the license was cancelled. “How come a cancelled license is renewed,” he questioned further.
“To save future generations, there is a need to send casinos out of Goa. Already, the crime rate has gone up, prostitution has increased and women’s safety is compromised. Goa does not need vices like casinos.”
Later, warning the government to remove the floatel from the site within 15 days, Khaunte said that failure to do so would see entire Goa burn and along with it, the BJP party.
Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar blamed the Goans for the mess as he said that the Goans are not united in their fight. “When something happens in Britona, we feel that it is the fight of Britona villagers and forget that it actually is the fight of all Goans. Hence, Goans from all corners should fight united against these casinos, otherwise these casinos will reach the entire stretch of River Mandovi in nearby villages like Divar, Old Goa, Cumbarjua, etc,” he added.
Madkaikar then opined that no government will be able to remove the casinos as the owners have powerful backing. “Only the people’s might will be able to achieve that,” he stated, while informing that the Ribandar locals have accepted the challenge thrown by the government, which will be successfully won by forcing the government to remove the casino.
Madkaikar further alleged that private functions of some BJP office-bearers, ministers and MLAs are being sponsored by these casino owners, which is the reason why they are protecting these casinos.
Goa Forward’s general secretary Mohandas Lolienkar said that Goa does not need casinos for running its economy, but added that politicians need money from these casinos.
“Not only politicians, a video is also going viral wherein a newspaper is trying to extort money from casino owners to publish positive reports,” Lolienkar.
“So we are being fooled by politicians as well as such types of newspapers,” he said, while exhorting people to remain alert and united in driving these casinos away from Goa.
Penha-da-Franca Parish Priest Fr Mathew Fernandes, CCP Corporator Rupesh Halarnkar, former CCP corporator Vivina Nasnodkar, RTI activist Aires Rodrigues, Britona Villagers Front’s Agnel Pereira also spoke at the meet. Chimbel Sarpanch Manisha Chopdekar and others were among those present on the occasion.
