Goa to get off shore casinos removed from Mandovi in phases

The Goa government will not close down off shore casinos in the state but would instead get them out of Mandovi river here in a phased manner, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today told the State Legislative Assembly.
"I never said that I am going to close the casinos (off shore). I will just move them out of (river) Mandovi," Parrikar said while responding to a question in the House.
Parrikar said that within two years, all the off shore casinos would be moved out of Mandovi in phases.
The issue was raised on the floor of the House by Congress legislator Aleixo Reginald and Independent legislators - Vijay Sardesai and Rohan Khaunte.

Reginald questioned the government over the renewal of licence to off shore casino vessel Horseshoe, which replaced smaller M V Arabian and changed its name to 'Delta In' later
"How can a bigger size vessel be allowed to operate on the same licence granted to the one with smaller capacity " he asked.

To which the chief minister said that current rule do not specify the size of the vessel while granting licence.
"But we are framing new rules which will have the fee based on the carrying capacity of the vessel," he added.
Earlier in a written reply tabled on the floor of the House, Parrikar said that licences of all those off shore casinos which are expiring on or before March 31, 2014 may be considered for extension for a period of two years to enable them to make alternate arrangements of moving out of Mandovi.

"The licences of all those off shore casinos which are expiring after March 31, 2014 shall not be renewed, for operation in River Mandovi," he said adding that no further off shore casinos will be permitted in the state.
Goa has currently five off shore casinos which are anchored in River Mandovi near Panaji.