Team Herald
PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Thursday in-principle decided to renew the trade licences of all the six offshore casinos, operating in River Mandovi. The final decision, however, would be taken during the Council meeting, scheduled on November 11.
The CCP Council had in October 2019 resolved not to renew the trade licence of the offshore casinos due to parking and traffic nuisance created by them. CCP is expected to earn revenue of around Rs 52 lakh from the renewals, which were due in March.
The State government permitted the casinos to resume its operations from November 1, after almost eight months closure in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing media persons after holding meeting with casino operators, Panjim Mayor Uday Madkaikar said that following State government’s permission to resume casino operations, the CCP has in-principle decided to renew the trade licenses of the offshore casinos for the year 2020-21. “Since it was a council decision not to renew the licenses, the proposal would be placed before them for final decision,” he said.
Madkaikar said several restaurant and hotel owners, taxi operators, approached him and the Commissioner with a request to grant trade licenses to casino offices, so they can resume operations. “They pleaded that their business have already affected due to COVID since there is no night life left in the city post 7pm or 8 pm,” he said.
“Also, we took legal opinion on the issue. The Advocate opined that the matter can be challenged if we decline to renew the trade licenses,” he added.
Madkaikar said the casino operators are directed to submit fresh applications for the trade licences, which will be issued by imposing stringent conditions to ensure that there is no parking and traffic nuisance in the city. “We assure the people of Panjim that due to casinos they will have no problem,” he said.
Madkaikar reiterated that the Corporation along with MLA Atanasio Monserrate will continue to pursue with government to shift the casinos out of Panjim.
The Corporation has decided that the either side of the road near casino office would be demarcated as No Parking and No Stopping zone. The casino operators are directed to ensure that the vehicles are parked either at EDC Patto, multi-level parking or market.
Madkaikar said the corporation has appointed a private agency to tow the vehicles at night. “Strict night patrolling would be done,” he said.