New request to get offshore casinos off the river

MLA Pratapsing Rane thinks that the River Mandovi should be decongested and the offshore casinos moved to another site.

India.- Afther the Town and Country Planning Minister and Goa Forward Party President Viaji Sardesai introduced a proposal to bring the offshore casinos in the River Mandovi to land, new voices against their presence in the water have arised. Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Pratapsing Rane says the government should decongest the river and urged it not to allow anymore vessels in it.

“There is another site [to move the casinos]. We can show you [local government] and make it a tourist place. But don’t allow more vessels in the river. Soon mining will start and barge operators are not happy with the blocking of the river channel,” Rane said.

As reported by heraldgoa.in, said comments come just after the Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd-owned M V Lucky 7 got stranded off Miramar beach as it left Mormugao Port Trust defying warnings over bad weather. The vessel’s tank will soon be emptied as the authorities fear of an oil spillage.

In the meantime, NCP MLA Churchill Alemao is pushing for an entry fee on Goans in order to scare them off casinos and prevent problem gambling. He promotes a US$77 entry fee for goans to discourage locals from gambling. “Our Goan youth are getting addicted to casino gambling and this is destroying many houses. I know about a suicide case too,” he warned.