Offshore casinos in Goa to be out of Mandovi river by 2015
Goa CM Manohar Parrikar says it's not the concern of state govt where the offshore casinos will be shifted away
Panaji: Goa government on Wednesday said that all the offshore casinos would be shifted out of Mandovi river here by December 2015 and the operators had given undertakings to the government during renewal of their licences.
No offshore casino would be allowed to operate in Mandovi river after 3 December 2015, chief minister Manohar Parrikar told the state legislative assembly on Wednesday.
There are currently five offshore casino vessels anchored in Mandovi river, adjacent to Panaji city. It is not the concern of the state government where the offshore casinos would be shifted away, Parrikar said.
“If they want government can help them, but they should come to us seeking help," he said.
The issue was raised on the floor of the House by independent legislator Rohan Khaunte, who questioned the government’s intentions to drive away offshore casinos from Mandovi.
“There are total five valid licences. All the licences expire by December 2015, after that there will be no casino vessel in the river," the CM said, adding that the casino operators have given undertakings during their renewal of licences that they are ready to shift out.
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