The question is whether the CM is determined on exit of casinos from the State or does he seriously have sincere concerns about his local brethren
The Chief Minister’s announcement on the floor of the house that Goans will be banned from entering casinos sounds like the typical strictures passed by a school-head who is strictly against his wards wasting their time in unproductive activities at the cost of their studies.
Oh, come on! Is the CM intent on admonishing perfectly mature adults who know what they are doing for their forays into gambling joints just because they are Goans? Or is it that he wouldn’t want the locals to be scandalized by the high-stakes gaming that goes on in the casinos!
Well, if that is the case, Matka as the most visible face of illegal gambling has survived decades in the business in the major cities in the state and thrived even in remote villages.
Nonetheless similar utterings were the order of the day whenever and wherever casinos came up as a controversial topic showing the government in a bad light for continuing with their much-debated presence even during the Parrikar regime.
Now the question is whether the Chief Minister is determined on starving the casinos of business so that they make an honorable exit from the state or does he seriously have sincere concerns about his local brethren and would want them to stay clear of such appalling habits.
It would hardly appear so considering his stand just last month that casinos are important for the tourism profile of Goa and cannot be written off. Since quite a few tourists arrive in Goa only to play in the casinos, the importance of these sophisticated gambling dens is manifold according to him. Such a take by the ‘head honcho’ of the state only ensures that the casinos are here to stay.
But to be fair to the CM!
The casino industry in Goa which started off as a thorn in the government’s side with activists hollering over its insensitiveness towards the uniqueness of the land and its inhabitants continues to attract severe censure from critics.
But much to the chagrin of environmentalists who are concerned about the offshore casinos polluting River Mandovi, their numbers have only grown.
However, besides being seen as what could be an avenue to advance employment opportunities for Goans; as tourist attractions the offshore and onshore casinos have together become a major revenue churner for the state.
Nevertheless it is the holier-than-thou approach to the casino-issue that has had both the Congress and the BJP governments, while conceding that it is against the interest of the Goans, showing no visible signs of remorse in allowing the promoters navigate a lucrative course.
Let us accept the fact. Pretentious concerns for the locals notwithstanding, the government has already decided to stay on with the necessary vice.
Besides, would a stern action by the CM against the casinos plying their trade in the state guarantee an end to gambling in totality. Barring entry to casinos may be a deterrent, but would that prevent gambling aficionados from quitting their addiction when there are other avenues open where they can comfortably satiate their obsessive compulsions.
With the deteriorating tourism scenario in the state, it has become essential that the government envisages better methods to entice tourists.
As the most favoured global destination, so far the thrust was more on attracting foreign guests to the state. However, tourism promotional trips by delegations to foreign countries in recent times have been unfruitful.
Although their numbers have dwindled sufficiently, an appreciable number of charter tourists and individual foreign travelers continue to arrive in Goa.
Yet, considering that a major percentage of tourist footfalls in the state are from within the country, it becomes pertinent that Goa taps the domestic tourist market more extensively.
But for this to happen a proper infrastructure needs to be in place. Moreover Goa has not been adding value to its tourist assets. On the contrary they lie in total shambles with complete neglect characterizing the department’s approach towards general maintenance.
It thus becomes essential that the tourism department along with the GTDC and the stakeholders join hands to evolve better plans to rejuvenate tourism in the state and justify Goa’s stature as one of the prime tourist destinations in the world.
Tourist places globally have exploited their natural attributes to enhance tourism. Where nations with large water bodies and beaches have developed watersports as a major tourist attraction; deserts and jungles have given scope for safaris to become important draws in other countries.
Goa in this sense is blessed with a rich topography that has forests and several beaches which if developed well could boost tourist arrivals, besides its opulent array of churches and temples.
If the government is so reluctant to explore fresh avenues, private players could be roped in to contribute to the dismal scene. But no sooner a novelty is envisaged, there are elements within and outside the establishment who are quick to find faults and assign it a tag of controversy.
Making absurd promises comes so easily to political leaders that at times one is left wondering whether they are presiding over a bunch of idiots who are world-weary and do not have the spine to question their idiosyncrasies.
The promises about a Casino policy, Gaming Zone and Gaming Commissioner have remained just that – promises; assurances that were never meant to materialize into something worthwhile. Plain and simple farcicality.
Yet, it is in the interest of the state that its prime waterways are maintained well not only from the environmental point of view but a host of other reasons as well.
River Mandovi needs to be protected at all costs. If not shifting, there must be a sincere attempt by the government to streamline the casinos.
In the throes of commercialization, Goa is one such state that is trying hard to safeguard its unique identity. It is for the state government to ensure that Goa shines, and exceptionally so.
