Every time the extensions are granted, the reason given is that the alternate place is being looked out for, which is a subject of memes on social media.
Babush Monseratte, who succeeded Parrikar as Panaji MLA, had promised to move the casinos out within 100 days of the election, too failed to fulfil his assurance. While Casinos remained in Mandovi, Babush moved from Congress then to BJP, the party safeguarding the casinos.
In between, Ports Minister Michael Lobo made vague statements that one casino would be moved to Aguada bay and the others would follow. But to date, nothing of that sort has happened. Such is the prowess of the Casino lobby, against whom the local leaders feel helpless.
The State government now plans an Entertainment City in Pernem, near to Mopa airport, wherein all casinos would be housed, but that plan too has been suspended, for now, anticipating backlash from people during elections.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
It’s been almost 10 long years that the State has been granting extensions to the off-shore casinos in River Mandovi, ever since there was a protest against the gambling dens.
The BJP, under Manohar Parrikar, had promised in 2012 that it would move out the Casinos from River Mandovi. The BJP won an absolute majority with 21 seats that year but did nothing to move the casinos out.
The former chief minister, late Manohar Parrikar, devised a plan of granting extensions to off-shore casinos every six months. While Parrikar granted extensions every six months, Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday went a step ahead to grant a 12-month extension to the casinos in Mhadei.
Every time the extensions are granted, the reason given is that the alternate place is being looked out for, which is a subject of memes on social media.
Babush Monseratte, who succeeded Parrikar as Panaji MLA, had promised to move the casinos out within 100 days of the election, too failed to fulfil his assurance. While Casinos remained in Mandovi, Babush moved from Congress then to BJP, the party safeguarding the casinos.
In between, Ports Minister Michael Lobo made vague statements that one casino would be moved to Aguada bay and the others would follow. But to date, nothing of that sort has happened. Such is the prowess of the Casino lobby, against whom the local leaders feel helpless.
The State government now plans an Entertainment City in Pernem, near to Mopa airport, wherein all casinos would be housed, but that plan too has been suspended, for now, anticipating backlash from people during elections.
Looking at the developments over the past 10 years, it seems like the Casinos will go nowhere; leaders will come and go.
The situation is such that one may not be wrong to think that River Mandovi may disappear one day, but the Casino vessels will stay put.
With the diversion of Mhadei by Karnataka, the river Mandovi will dry up soon, and who knows, the casino lobby, along with our politicians, maybe wanting that to happen.
If that happens, casino owners will have nothing to worry about.
Why is the Pramod Sawant government dilly-dallying on shifting of casinos? Or why don’t they just take a stand that the off-shore casino vessel cannot be moved out?
Frankly speaking, nothing wrests in Dr Pramod Sawant’s hands; the casino lobby is so influenced that even the chief minister is at mercy. They get orders cleared directly from the Centre and care a damn for the State government rules and regulations.
The CM fears the lobby so much that last time despite an outbreak of COVID19 cases in casino vessels, he refused to shut the operation, citing economic reasons.
Agreed, after COVID19, there have been huge losses faced by the government and the local businesses, but to overcome those losses, are we going to make Goa Gambling Den? Why can’t the chief minister think about any other revenue-generating measures?
For the sake of it, the government has banned locals from entering casinos but with huge losses faced by them during lockdowns, will they abide by these rules as they would be even more desperate to recover their money.