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Is Goa going the Las Vegas way?
The State government now has plans to set up 10 offshore casinos in the river waters of Goa.
Sources said that six firms have already applied and have paid the processing fees while applications are invited from firms for four more on a first-come-first-serve basis.
This paper has learnt that the six firms who have been granted interim approvals include Hotel Leela Venture, Goa Coastal Resorts and Recreation, Padmashil Investments Limited, M/s High Street Multi Trade Private Ltd, V M Salgaokar & Sons Private Ltd, and M/s Victor Hotels and Motels. However, the firms are yet to get clearances from the ministry of shipping and the Captain of Ports.
The government plans came to light when the Home Department made public its intentions in an inconspicuous fashion in a vernacular daily.
This matter was today raised by Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar who decried the latest development on behalf of the State unit of the BJP and described it as “an unhealthy move towards destroying the social fabric of Goa”.
At a press conference on Monday evening, Parrikar questioned the motives of the government in having 10 offshore casinos in Goa and expressed apprehensions of severe consequences on Goan society.
Flaying the Rane led government for its “ineffective governance” and law and order failure he allegedly said, “ The government now wants to make Goa a gambling den.”
Parrikar also raised fears that the casino culture would invite more law and order problems for the State and fuel the problems of prostitution, money laundering and use of weapons.
He said that this would also give a wrong direction to tourism and would invite gamblers ten times more.
He also feared that induction of 10 offshore casinos would result in unhealthy competition and promotion of ill-founded hawala deals to attract cliental.
He sought to know whether the government had conducted any feasibility study before deciding on having 10 offshore casinos.
“Instead of gambling prevention there seems to be a trend towards gambling proliferation,” he emphasised.
Replying to queries Parrikar said that his government did not give permission for casinos.
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