the goan I network
PANAJI
The Government of Goa is expected to extend the stay of the casinos floating in the River Mandovi for another year before their license to berth, which expires on March 31 this year, runs out.
The government had last year initially extended the licences of the casinos in the River Mandovi initially till September 30 and then till March 31, 2018.
In March last year, through a Cabinet decision, a three-month extension was granted to the stay of the casinos in the River Mandovi besides empowering the Chief Minister to extend this period by a further three months “in case the process of shifting them out of the River Mandovi is not fulfilled.”
The decision was taken on the condition that the licencees would honour their earlier undertaking that they would move out of the
River Mandovi as and when directed.
While the five casinos operating in the River Mandovi have been given licences to operate casinos for five years expiring later this year, their permission to remain in the River Mandovi was only extended up to the March 31, 2018, and needed renewing.
Speaking to The Goan, sources familiar with the matter said that the decision was taken in view of the fact that “abrupt enforcement of the undertaking would entail immediate loss of revenue”.
The decision to renew the licences was one of the first decisions taken by the new government last year which moved quickly to ensure that the operation of the casinos in the River Mandovi was not interrupted.
This year too, sources have informed that the file to grant an extension to the casinos in the Mandovi has been moved for the Chief Minister’s approval and his approval and subsequent notification is expected to be issued over the coming days.
ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER CHANCE
Decision taken in view of the fact that “abrupt enforcement of the undertaking would entail immediate loss of revenue”
Decision to renew licences was one of the first decisions taken by the new government last year
The file to grant extension to casinos in Mandovi has been moved for Chief Minister’s approval and subsequent notification is expected to be issued over the coming days
The licences of floating casinos expire on March 31, 2018
FLASHBACK: In March last year, the Cabinet had granted a three-month extension to the casinos in River Mandovi besides empowering the Chief Minister to extend this period by a further three months ‘in case the process of shifting them out of the River Mandovi is not fulfilled’
