In what has now become a ritual, it’s another six months extension for those casinos which, with political patronage are well established and rooted in the River Mandovi.
In May 2019 during that Panaji by-election Babush Monserrate had solemnly promised that if elected he would move the casinos out of the River Mandovi within 100 days.
In an expected U-turn the Panaji MLA now says that he has studied the casino issue and that the casinos are here to stay. So did Babush make that promise without any application of mind? Why should anyone trust any other promise that he makes. It was also very unfair on his part to blame the Traffic Police for the mayhem the casino vehicles create in the city.
If health minister could move that proposed mega IIT project out of Melauli, so could Babush Monserrate if he was truly committed.
It was announced recently that one casino was being moved to the other side of the river and that the casino offices in the city would all be relocated to the Santa Monica Jetty. All this too is a fairy tale that will hoodwink no one.
Our politicians would do well to follow Mahatma Gandhi whose commitment was to Truth not consistency of endless broken promises and U-turns!
