PANAJI
Asked by reporters over the fate of the casino licences after March 31, Parrikar said: “You are wrong. The casino licences are not expiring, their tenure in the Mandovi is expiring.”
He however refused to comment further on whether any decision has been taken or is scheduled to be taken in that regard
However, a brief look through the archives has revealed, that the tenure of the casinos in the Mandovi as well as the licences themselves were extended together first till March 31, 2016 and further given a year’s extension to March 31, 2017 until an alternate location is found.
The first casino licence was to expire on August 29, 2015, ie that of MV Horseshoe run by the Deltin Group. The licence of MV Pride of Goa was due to expire on September 12, 2015 while that of MV Casino Royale is due to expire on October 23, 2015 and MV Boa Sorte on December 3, 2015. However all licences were first renewed till March 31, 2016 and on March 31, 2016 for a further period of one year.
Asked about the Mhadei issue, Parrikar said the issue was being handled well.
“Absolutely, yesterday I conducted four meetings one was the Mhadei issue, wait till Monday you will automatically know what it is. The Mhadei issue is very important and we will handle it how it should be done. What exactly we will do, I will not enter into speculation,” Parrikar said.
Parrikar then, launched into a tirade again saying he was not obliged to give specifics of his strategy on Mhadei.I told you very specifically that you will know the strategy on Monday. Will I tell you my strategy so that you can tell it on the road? I don’t want to answer that question today. You will come to know our strategy on Mhadei once we declare it or on 21st when the tribunal meets.
“Is there any requirement for you that every aspect of how we will tackle it has to be told, to the media and the public. I am only telling you in principle that Mhadei is in our heart and we will take care of it. I do not want to answer anything further other than this on this. I think I have handled Mhadei very seriously earlier you are aware of it. No matter how much concern you have, your concern is too much for me.
“I will not answer you anything other than saying I am very serious on Mhadei issue. All aspects of it will be… You don’t know anything if you have Goa’s well being in mind, should I tell you my strategy so that you can tell the whole world?
