Casinos face stormy waves
Rupesh
Samant (PTI)
6 September 2007
Off-shore casinos, a gambling
den onboard a ship, has sparked off a debate in Goa with different opinions being
expressed for and against the new licenses.
Goa, India's only state where
off-shore casinos are permitted, already has a off-shore casino operational on
a ship near Panaji city. The casino run by Advani group of hotels is a crowd puller
especially on weekends and holidays.
While this casino was accepted by the
locals, the controversy erupted when a second such casino, planned by the Leela
group, took shape in south Goa.
The casino, feel the Cavelossim villagers,
where it is anchored, is blocking the movement of fishing trawlers. Besides, the
operation to dredge Sal river is also being objected as it affects the marine
life.
The movement which began on a small note has taken a larger proportion
with the local catholic church chipping in with its support.
The politicians
have kept mum over the topic. Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat and chief secretary
J P Singh, who visited the disputed site, too, have not given their stand on the
controversy.
It was the BJP which initially objected to setting up of casinos
in the state last year. Then Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane had advertised for
six off-shore casinos in the state.
The saffron political party had objected
to such huge influx of casinos, which according to them, would roll out red carpet
welcome to gamblers, money launderers, mafias and prostitution rackets in the
peaceful state, which is frequented by 23 lakh tourists every year.
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