the goan I network
MARGAO
Curtorim Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco on Friday expressed apprehensions that casino gambling may soon become a pan-Goa phenomenon with two casinos set to start operations at the Kadamba plateau at Old Goa bypass and at a resort at Calangute.
Addressing the media, Reginaldo said there are now no two opinions that casinos are having a free run in the State of Goa since March 9, 2012 when the BJP came to power in Goa.
Posing a host of questions to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on casino gambling, the Congress MLA demanded to know what prevents the government from shutting all casino operations in Goa for good and questioned when the government would implement the GST in casinos.
"Isn't 18 per cent GST not applicable for casinos. But, my inquiries have revealed that no GST has been implemented at the casinos. Why no bills are given to casino customers according to GST," he said, while demanding that the Chief Minister produce the bills to prove that GST has been implemented on the casinos. "Though he keeps on diverting the attention of Goemkars by blaming the Congress for getting casinos in Goa, why is Parrikar and his BJP government hell bent on issuing new licences," he asked, while demanding to know the steps the government has taken till date to unearth the source of money of a punter who buys chips for Rs 20 lakh and above.
Incidentally, Reginaldo said a casino operator had offered a deal to the Congress government in the past, but it was turned down, while asking the BJP to come clear on the flourishing casino gambling in the State.
Demanding to know the fate of Parrikar's pompous talk of banning the entry of Goans in the casinos, the Congress MLAs has sought to know why the government has till date not appointed the Gaming Commission to monitor casinos in Goa.
