Monitor casinos closely, Goa CM to DGP

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar today asked Director General of Police (DGP) to keep a close watch on operations at casinos to ensure that they are not misused to distribute cash during upcoming assembly polls.
"I have spoken to the DGP in this regard and have asked him to keep a close watch on the activities in casinos so as to ensure that they are not being misused to distribute money during the election," Parsekar told reporters here today.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi during his recent trip to Goa had expressed concern about casinos being used to distribute money.

The CEC had asked chief secretary R K Srivastava to keep a watch on the activities at casinos.
The Chief Minister said that chief secretary had apprised him about the concerns raised by CEC Zaidi.
"I have taken up the matter with DGP," he said.

Responding to a question whether casinos can be misused for distribution of cash, Parsekar said, "I don't have much knowledge. I am not supposed to be expert in all the fields. But since the Election Commission has suggested it means there should be a substance."
On recent Supreme Court decision to ban sale of liquor on the highways, Parsekar said the state government is studying the judgment.

He said the impact will be more on Goa due to number of liquor shops. "We need to explore the possibility of relocating such liquor shops," the chief minister said.