The recent audit report that there is ‘no possibility of casino vessels releasing sewage into River Mandovi’ apparently gives a clean chit to the casinos operating in the river.
The author of the audit report must have had his own reasoning, but
there is something more than what meets the eye.
Questions on what water samples were collected, date, time, location etc from surroundings and periphery of the coast and the labs involved in conducting the analysis come to fore.
The audit report also cites 40 per cent discrepancy between water usage and sewage generation. This does not foster any sense of trust in the casinos and the process. It appears the casinos have successfully been able to hide their misdemeanour.
It would be in the fitness of things if a parallel analysis of water samples and comparison was done by the NIO for accuracy and trust-building.
The audit report also reveals that there is no record of visitors leaving the vessel (which would have been helpful) and 'suggests' the casino tracks this using various methods. This is all a clear indication of the lack of rules and regulations governing the casinos.
This auditor's report should not be an eye wash. It should be a tool to bring about improvements.
