Panaji: Buckling under pressure from the Opposition, the Goa government today ordered the closure of casinos on Gandhi Jayanti, in deference to Mahatma Gandhi.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said: "The casinos will be closed from midnight today (Wednesday) to tomorrow midnight."
The state has five offshore casinos, and a dozen onshore casinos operating from various five-star hotels.
The Congress has been demanding a symbolic closure of these casinos on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Bars and other liquor selling outlets remain closed on October 2.
Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat called the move "sensible and positive".
"We would appreciate if Mr Parrikar sticks to his own demands, which he had made with respect to casinos while he was leader of opposition," Mr Kamat said.
When in the opposition, the BJP had opposed the casinos and threatened to "throw casinos out of Goa" once in power.
Goa is known as the mecca of nightlife tourism and is emerging as the country's leading gambling destination.
Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said: "The casinos will be closed from midnight today (Wednesday) to tomorrow midnight."
The state has five offshore casinos, and a dozen onshore casinos operating from various five-star hotels.
Congress spokesperson Durgadas Kamat called the move "sensible and positive".
Advertisement
When in the opposition, the BJP had opposed the casinos and threatened to "throw casinos out of Goa" once in power.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Goa's Law And Order Deteriorating, Cops Visit Discos, Casinos: Opposition Leader Goa Government Issues Extreme Heat Wave Advisory Till April 8 Probe Agency Raids 6 Goa Casinos As Part Of Money Laundering Investigation Trump, Musk Groove To Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive' In AI-Video Now Viral 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court "Want To Ask Congress...": Mamata Banerjee Snaps At Ally In Rape-Murder Case NASA To Decide Stranded Starliner Astronauts' Route Home By End Of Month Mob Vandalises Hospital During Protest Over Kolkata Horror 8 Of Family Hospitalised After Consuming Wild Mushroom In Jharkhand: Cops Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.