On February 10, a news report appeared in almost all the dailies that the MLA of Panaji did a U-turn on casinos although he had categorically announced that he would remove these from the river in 100 days.
According to him, he was forced to make the U-turn to satisfy people of Panaji who have businesses and are dependent on casinos. He announced this without any consideration of the fact that almost all the businessmen who have shops in Panaji are not residing in the city. He should not expect any votes from them.
To make it worse these businessmen have their cars parked on roads occupying areas where our residents have houses. Also, there are some big shopping centres, especially in St Inez where these business people influence the traffic department not to issue any challan although they park in no-parking zones with boards clearly visible all along the road.
These businessmen are second only to tourists in blocking the roads and footpaths and harassing the law-abiding residents of the city. They also create more work for the CCP as we see their garbage piling up in front of their establishment /shops in large quantities.
I hope the MLA realises he may lose votes because of this U-turn on casinos. Hope he wisens up to change his mind and adhere to his original promise on casinos.
