Porvorim: A BJP lawmaker on Friday demanded on the floor of the House that off shore casino vessels should be shifted out of River Mandovi in Panaji, and can be taken to tourism constituency of Calangute.
Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserratte, speaking on the demands for grants for Ports department during ongoing assembly session, said that the off shore casinos have created mess in the capital city.
State Ports Minister Michael Lobo on Friday tabled demands for grants for his department.
Monserratte, representing Panaji Assembly constituency, said that the capital city looks like “hub of casinos” with their decorative night life.
“I had promised to the people of Panaji to shift the casinos out of River Mandovi, and I stand by my promise. I will not rest till then,” said the MLA.
Monserratte said that the off shore casino lobby seems to have privatised the jetties owned by Captain of Ports and Fisheries Department to transport their visitors to the vessels.
Referring to Lobo, Monserratte said “today, you say casinos generate income for the State, you can take them to your constituency as it is in the tourism belt.”
Monserratte said that the casinos have created “mess of the city.” He questioned why permission was granted by Captain of Ports to take over the jetties. “It is the bureaucracy who are patronizing the casinos. I will not tolerate anyone who patronizing them at the cost of people of Panaji,” he said.
