July 30 – Rs 349.89 crore dues which are pending for past 4 to 5 years from onshore i.e. land based casinos will be recovered within a period of one year, CM Pramod Sawant assured the house today. Recovery process is on, properties of the casinos will be seized if they fail to pay the dues, said Sawant while pointing out that some of them have already closed down and some are under litigation. Several MLAs including those from ruling benches demanded action on slot machines, small casinos etc which have mushroomed across the state. They alleged that even school students visit these casinos. CM assured of action on such illegalities.
▪️ Absence of advertising policy preventing action on illegal online gaming advertisements
Absence of Advertising Policy is preventing the govt from taking action on illegal hoardings and advertisements of Casinos from Sri Lanka and other online gaming apps. Govt has taken legal opinion in the matter. State Information Dept and Police Dept have been asked to find out details of such advertisers and advertising agencies. All such illegal advertisements will be taken down, he asserted.
▪️ Grant of licence to hotel even while Rs 80 crore dues pending
Using information received through RTI, Goa Forward leader Vijay Sardessai highlighted the case of grant of licence to a hotel in Candolim even while Rs 80 crore payment was due from them. He also alleged the involvement of one Under Secretary, Govt of Goa in the matter. CM said he will get the matter probed.
