No licence for offshore casinos that don't move out of Mandovi: Parrikar

Panaji: Goa government will not renew licences of the offshore casino vessels that do not move out of Mandovi river in Panaji, once their current permission expires, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Monday.

The Goa Cabinet had last year decided not to allow any more offshore casinos while moving out the existing casinos in the next two years.

"All the vessels will move out in next two years," Parrikar told the state Legislative Assembly.

The owners of the offshore casinos will have to look out where they will anchor the vessels, once they are moved out of Mandovi river, he said.

"If they don't move out, their licence would not be renewed," Parrikar said.

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The issue was raised on the floor of the House by Independent legislator Rohan Khaunte, who had questioned the safety of passengers visiting the offshore casino vessels.

Goa's Captain of Ports department minister Laxmikant Parsekar, in a written reply on the floor of the House, said licences were granted to four vessels mounted with casinos.

All the four vessels were issued fitness certificates which expire this year and in 2015, he said.

PTI