The very controversial and high-handed move by the cash strapped Goa Government to waive the Casinos from having to pay a whopping 277 crores is outrageous to say the least. This contentious attempt by a debt ridden government which has been borrowing to the hilt is suspect and rightly raises many eyebrows.
Ever since the lockdown almost all businesses have and are still suffering enormous losses so this preferential treatment only for the Casinos is questionable. The Casino trade is running very unregulated. The appointment of that Gaming Commissioner for the Casinos was an utter eyewash. As there are no rules framed he is powerless. And the promised Casino policy has yet not seen the light of the day. It is no secret that the Casinos are an outlet for black money. The government should have proved it bonafides by mandatorily making every transaction at all Casino cashless. While as the Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar had vociferously branded Casinos as a “social evil” and had called them "dens of vice". While spearheading that agitation against Casinos, Manohar Parrikar had vowed to make sure that all Casinos were thrown out of Goa if the BJP came to power. But in a dramatic U turn in March 2012 after coming to Power, the BJP has gone all out to promote, shield and increase the number of Casinos. And last year the Government has officially declared that those “dens of vice" and that the “social evil” is now an integral and vital part of the Tourism trade in the State. Goa needs to be freed from this social evil. Our State has today sadly become the country’s gambling hub with the allied vices of Prostitution and the Narcotics trade also flourishing by the day while the Crime rate is on a steep rise. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires www.airesrodrigues.com
