AAM AURAT ADMI AGAINST GAMBLING c/oBAILANCHO SAAD SF-4, Goa Housing Board res cum com Complex, Journalist Colony, Porvorim, Goa
Tel:2410864 Email:[email protected] Dated: - 29th March 2012 PRESS RELEASE Aam Admi Aurat Against Gambling(AAAAG) which met in the city today condemned the decision of the Chief Minister to reduce the casino license fee from Rs 2000 to Rs 500 in the Budget 2012. AAAAG stated that Mr Manohar Parikar had gone back on the assurance given last year of pushing casinos out when a delegation of AAAAG comprisinng of Rui Fereira , Annand Madgaonkar, Sabina Martins, had called on him to take up the issue. The delegation had also met MP Mr Sripad Naik who clearly stated that the BJP was not for casinos. AAAAG observed that people had hoped that the CM would push the casinos out first to honour the commitment made by him when in the opposition, instead Mr Parrikar has honoured the wishes of the casinos. AAAAG had hoped that the illegal casino advertisements put up by police on their traffic signage in Panaji would go. No permissions have been taken from the Corporation of Panaji and yet finds patronage of the BJP government at the state and the Corporation, The AAAAG had made representation to all MLAs ruling and opposition to stop casinos as the consequences are now more evident. Mr Parrikar had led a demonstration stating no more casinos will be allowed. It is shocking that the Chief Minister now states that casinos in five star hotels recognized by central government will be permitted*. It is becoming increasingly clear that the Mr Parrikar did not want the casinos then so that he could permit them once elected.* AAAAG has information that several five star hotels have lined up to set base in Goa with casinos. In fact this Panchayat elections, many Panchas will be funded in these villages so as to have a smooth sailing in getting N.O.C for hotels and casinos. AAAAG cautions the people to be aware of the developments in their villages to protect themselves from the onslaught of undesirable development. The casino industry is unregulated and is bleeding the society. Mr Parrikar who prides himself as an able administrator has given a lame excuse stating that the Rs 2000 fees could not be kept tack of. If that is so how will the CM keep track of Rs 500? If Mr Parrikar can track flow of petrol by putiing 0.1 percent VAT, why no mechanism could be found to track entry into casinos? AAAAG questioned. AAAAG stated that every tourist who books into a hotel even for a Rs 500 room has to show his or her identity card. PAN card numbers are asked for major cash transactions. AAAAG pointed out that mandatory production of PAN card on every entry would have given enough data for checking. Since the advent of casinos there has been reports of money linked to terror being laundered in Goa casinos, there have been ATM frauds, casino fights which have spilled on streets abd led to the stoning of Panjim police station, increased robberies, trafficking, foreign women used for entertaining guests, escort agencies and massage parlours sprouting as fronts for prostitution etc. The Panjim streets are choked with vehicles in no parking zones in the night, footpaths have been taken over and the public jetties privatized. Goa had a robust tourism trade without casinos. Goa is not dependent on casinos. In fact it is the casinos who are sponging on the tourism of Goa and people of Goa are paying a price. AAAAG demands from the government to stop giving licenses to any casinos whether land based or offshore. It is the people of Goa who should have a say in their affairs and not the casino mafia. Sabina Martins Covenor -AAAAG --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
