Goa’s offshore casinos won’t be relocated for now

The Chief Minister said the casinos will remain in the Mandovi river for one more year.

India.- The relocation of offshore casinos from the Mandovi river to alternative sites was delayed for one year.

Yesterday (Thursday,) Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the casinos will stay put for one more year until suitable locations are decided. “The casinos have been given one year extension to remain in the Mandovi till March 31 next year or until a feasible alternate site is found, whichever is earlier,” said Parsekar. “We had identified four locations which were Zuari river, Mandovi river mouth, Aguada Bay and Chapora river. But these locations were either not feasible for the casino operators or there was opposition from the locals.”

The decision to wait on the relocation was taken by the cabinet after casino employees petitioned the state government against it. “The employees petitioned the government not to shift the casinos as they might lose their jobs or travel long distances to the workplace,” added the Chief Minister.

On the other hand, the opposition in the Congress reacted with anger. “The BJP government today has crossed yet another milestone of shameless U-turn on its own promise with this decision, which bolsters our belief and claim that the BJP government is run by the casino lobby,” said Sunil Kawthankar Congress general secretary in a statement.