Ruling BJP in Goa an agent of casino industry, allege MLAs

Accusing the ruling BJP in Goa of working as "agent" of the casino industry, two independent MLAs today alleged that the state government's decision to give one more year to off shore casinos to shift from Mandovi river was the party's "fund raising attempt" ahead of the assembly polls due next year.
"BJP is an agent of casino industry. With the state assembly elections fast approaching, the party has begun to tap various fund raising opportunities and casino industry is one amongst them," Rohan Khaunte, an independent legislator representing Porvorim constituency, told reporters.
Earlier this week, the state cabinet extended by one more year the time-frame for the off shore casino vessels to move away from Mandovi to another location to be fixed by the state government. Goa currently has four off shore casinos, all of which are operating in Mandovi.

Khaunte, who was flanked by another independent legislator Naresh Sawal, condemned the state government's act of allowing the off-shore casino vessels to operate in Mandovi river till March 31, 2017.
"All the decisions regarding shifting of the casino mounted vessels would be taken as per the wishes of the industry," Khaunte said.
"The government has also said that it would allow off shore casinos to be converted into the land-based ones, which means the doors for the live gaming will be opened for gambling on the shore," he added.

The off shore casinos have live gaming, while for the on shore casinos, the games are played using machines.

The legislator said the vessels should be shifted to deep sea rather than government trying to find alternate site for their relocation.
Several civil groups and political parties like Congress have demanded that the off shore casinos should be shifted away from Mandovi.