File Photo: Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar (Press Trust of India)
In a major relief to the off-shore casino industry, the Goa government today extended the deadline for casino operators to relocate from river Mandovi, till March 31, 2016.
The State cabinet has approved the decision to extend the deadline for the casino operators to venture out of river Mandovi to next year in March.
The BJP-led government had announced in past that they will ensure off-shore casino vessels move out of the river by 2015 when their licences are due for renewal.
Goa has four off shore casino vessels, and the licence of first vessel MV Horse Shoe, operated by M/s Delta Corp Ltd, expires tomorrow, i.e August 29.
"The cabinet resolved to grant extension to off shore casinos to relocate themselves till March 31, 2016 or till alternate site is finalised by government, whichever is earlier," Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told reporters after the meeting.
Mr Parsekar said the licence of the three other vessels, including MV Pride of Goa, is expiring on September 12, 2015, MV Casino Royale on October 23, 2015 and MV Boa Sorte on December 3, 2015.
"In next four months, all the licences would expire," he said.
The government will renew the licences of off shore casino vessels but they will be permitted to operate in (river) Mandovi only till March 31, 2016, Mr Parsekar said.
Apparently, the government which had assured that no licences will be renewed till the casinos shift from the river, it has now said asking operators to relocate without providing adequate infrastructure to them may hurt investors' confidence.
"While government is committed to move the vessels, it needs to keep in mind issues like investors' confidence, which is a pre-requisite for bringing in new investment," the chief minister said.
He said the cabinet has (today) prepared a policy framework to move out the casino vessels by providing them an alternate place.
The Captain of Ports department has been directed to scout for suitable place where proper facilities would be availed to allow the off shore casinos run their business.
Mr Parsekar ruled out the possibility of asking them to move into the deep sea.
He said closing down of the off shore casino industry would adversely affect the revenue flow and employment to locals.
"There are 2,500 youths who have appealed the government not to shift the casinos," he said. To a poser, he said casino industry was initially welcomed by the Congress governments but the BJP government, which opposes gambling culture, is just keeping promises of the former government.
In 1997, the first off shore casino was allowed by then Congress chief minister Pratapsingh Rane.
In 2008, four more off shore casinos were allowed by former chief minister Digambar Kamat.