Panaji (Goa): State Agriculture Minister Vijai Sardesai today said Goa government is considering the possibility of relocating the off shore casinos on the land in a bid to shift them from River Mandovi.

“I am of the opinion that the off shore casinos should be shifted out of River Mandovi even at the cost of getting them on the land,” Sardesai told reporters today responding to a question on why off shore casinos are not moved out of the river.

He questioned “in Sikkim, they have allowed the casinos on the land. If Sikkim can do it why can’t we do it?.”

Sardesai said that the off shore casinos should be brought on the land or pushed into deep sea. “Forcing them to shift in deep sea is not possible. We have been hearing that they will be forced but nothing has happened. We have to be practical,” he said.

Goa currently has five off shore casinos, and sixth vessel has been recently permitted by state government in River Mandovi after the company got favourable order from the Bombay High Court at Goa.

Sardesai said State cabinet has unanimously resolved not to allow off shore casinos in River Mandovi. “Now the new off shore casino is coming because of certain legal compulsions. We are trying to block it,” the minister said.

“My stand on the issue is that if state government’s policy is to not allow any off shore casino then we should challenge the court order. We should resist it in some or other way. This is the view of my party,” he added.

Goa has been witnessing opposition to off shore casinos because they have been situated right alongside Panaji city in River Mandovi and allegedly blocks the movement of the ships. Some social activists have also claimed that the casinos have been promoting social evils.

Team TNV