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Shift offshore casino vessels from Panaji: Monserratte

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Press Trust of India Panaji

BJP MLA Atanasio Monserratte demanded on Friday that offshore casino vessels be shifted from the Mandovi river in Panaji.

They could be relocated to Calangute area, he said, speaking in the Legislative Assembly.

The Panaji MLA, who joined the BJP recently, was speaking after Ports Minister Michael Lobo tabled 'demands for grants' of his department.

"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," Monserratte said.

The offshore casino lobby seemed to have privatised the jetties, which come under the Ports and Fisheries Department, to transport casino visitors to the vessels, he said.

 

"Today, you say casinos generate income for the state, you can take them to your constituency (Calangute) as it is in the tourism belt," he said to Lobo.

The casinos have created a "mess" in the state capital, he added, asking why the Captain of Ports allowed them to take over the jetties.

"It is thebureaucracy who are patronizing the casinos," the BJP MLA alleged.

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First Published: Jul 26 2019 | 8:15 PM IST

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