BY A GT REPORTER
PANJIM: All activities in five casinos operating in river Mandovi are to be sealed. These erring casinos continue to operate despite their NOCs having expired (See Box on Pg 2).
This matter echoed in the House yesterday as Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar pointed out to the glaring irregularities in this regard. Compounding matters further for the government, the opposition leader also showed how the Advocate General had adopted a contradictory stand on this issue. This prompted the Tourism Minister Mickky Pacheco to announce the sealing of all activities on the errant five casinos in tune with Parrikar's demand for the same.
The issue had its genesis in the blatantly illegal way casinos continued operations in river Mandovi. Parrikar said their NOCs have long expired.
To start with, the Tourism Minister informed that letters have been served to all six owners of casino vessels directing them to shift from river Mandovi to outer anchorage at Aguada Bay. "Wherein, they have filed a writ petition in the High Court of Bombay at Goa challenging the said letters. The Advocate General made a statement that in the meanwhile, no action will be taken pursuant to the impugned communication," said Pacheco.
At this stage, Parrikar was quick to point to the Cabinet Note listed in the miscellaneous agenda of the cabinet meet dated 23 February, 2009. "While the AG's note mentions that the casino vessels need to be moved to the Aguada Bay as vessels in Mandovi face navigational problems, why did the AG tell the Court that no action has to be taken in this matter?" questioned Parrikar. "Why no action was taken after the NOCs of these vessels expired?" Parrikar asked Pacheco when the latter sought to take refuge under the premise that these vessels were asked to move to Aguada Bay after their NOCs had expired. "Why has the Captain of Ports not stopped operations on these five casinos when they are not having NOCs. Why are you not stopping operations other than plying on these five casinos? questioned Parrikar.
The issue took an interesting turn when the Speaker opined that the AG can be summoned to the House in case the Minister finds it difficult to justify his stand. Pacheco finally bowed to Parrikar's demand and promise to seal all activities on these five casinos.
