Onshore casino numbers have dropped: CM

Posted on July 2, 2016 by crtgoa9020

The casinos in the Mandovi river are hardly off shore . Parsekar takes the public for fools when he says on shore casinos have dropped. Why is he not coming out clean on his governments stand on casinos ? 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Onshore-casino-numbers-have-dropped-CM/articleshow/53014309.cms

 

The chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday maintaining that the number of onshore casinos in the state had dropped said that his government has not issued new offshore casinos licences.

Questioned about his government’s stand on casinos, Parsekar said ever since license fees for onshore casinos were hiked their numbers had reduced, and added that earlier there were 17-18 such casinos in operation, of which some have closed operations now.

About a starred hotel’s proposal to start an onshore casino, Parsekar refused to respond. To the question as to whether there should be a cap on the number of casinos in the state, he maintained there was no question of having a cap on either offshore or onshore casinos as the number of the offshore casinos has never exceeded five and the number of on-shore casinos has dropped.

The BJP-led government has constantly come under fire for its stand on casinos and for not living up to its promise to shift offshore casinos away from city limits of theRiver Mandovi.

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Pollution Board nod for Mopa airport

Posted on July 2, 2016 by crtgoa9020
Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has granted Consent to Establish under the Air Act and the Water Act to Mopa International Airport, located at Mopa, Pernem.  
Members of the Board granted the Consent to Establish upon scrutiny of the water requirement, waste water generation, proposed mode of treatment and reuse, air emissions and control measures solid and hazardous waste generation aspects of the proposed project.  
It was learnt that this Consent to Establish has been granted on the condition that the successful bidder will have to approach the Board in the event there are any changes in the treatment methodologies and generation of waste water and solid and hazardous waste.  
State Department of Civil Aviation had submitted an application for Consent to Establish for the Greenfield Airport at Mopa in an area of 81,29,455 sq mts, for a passenger capacity of nine million per annum.  
The Board was also informed about the Environmental Clearance granted to the said project previously by the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change. This EC was later challenged by non-governmental organisations and individuals before the National Green Tribunal, Pune.  
During its 121st meeting, the Board also granted Consent to Operate under the Air Act and the Water Act to M/s Mohit Ispat Ltd permitting them to shift from their existing plant at Kundaim Industrial Estate to Navelim, Bicholim. 

– See more at: http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=19824#sthash.R4Rmawy3.dpuf

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NGO to hold rally against “rising” casino culture in Goa

Posted on July 1, 2016 by crtgoa9020 
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/NGO-to-hold-rally-against-rising-casino-culture-in-Goa/articleshow/52996940.cms

An NGO from Goa has decided to hold a mega rally here on July 2 opposing the “rising casino culture” in the state.

“The (state) government has failed to act in people’s favour. It is now time for people to act. We urge people to join in the protest, against the rising casino culture, atAzad Maidan (in Panaji) on Saturday, July 2,” Sabina Martins, Convenor, Aam Aurat Admi Against Gambling (AAAAG), a NGO, told reporters here today.

The NGO has protested addition of a new casino in the Mandovi river.

“Despite public opposition to the casinos and the promise of the (state) government to remove them, the new casino is being given permission,” Martins said.

She demanded that no casino should be permitted on land and (in) waters of the coastal state.

“The amendments to Goa Gambling Prevention Act was made to permit casinos (and) they should be repealed,” Martins added.

She claimed that every government (which came to power in the state) passed amendments in the Legislative Assembly to facilitate entrenchment of casinos.

“Amendments were brought in to include casinos in five star hotels and change the definition of five star hotel and offshore to make it easier for casinos to get permission from local authorities instead of central agencies,” she claimed.

The NGO has also sought ban on advertisements promoting casinos. RPS NRB PVI
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Citizens’ group irked by attempt to reduce NDZ

Posted on July 1, 2016 by crtgoa9020

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Citizens-group-irked-by-attempt-to-reduce-NDZ/articleshow/52997769.cms

United Goans Foundation (UGF), on Thursday, condemned the attempt of the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF) to decrease the ambit of the no-development zone (NDZ) from 200m to 50m away from the high tide line (HTL).

Addressing a press conference, UGF’s Judith Almeida said the CRZ Notification 2011 has provisions to protect the rights of the traditional fishermen, including their dwelling units. She claimed the proposal was a clear indication that the government wants to facilitate corporate houses that have properties along Goa’s coastline to extend their commercial activities closer to the sea and rivers. Almeida said that the CRZ notification 1991 and 2011, which were scientifically formulated keeping in mind the rise in sea levels and the potential effects of global warming, have been sought to be diluted for vested interests.
“The National Green Tribunal (NGT) recently acknowledged that the number of cases from Goa stands at 45%,. This is a clear indication that the environment of our tiny state is being destroyed,” she claimed.

Almeida went on to say that the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority(GCZMA)which is the nodal agency to protect the CRZ and its environmentis itself sought to be made defunct. “Complaints filed are not resolved. Multiple show cause notices are issued for a single violation but no action is appropriated. Citizens and NGOs who make a conscientious effort are sent round in circles, forcing them to approach the courts and now, the NGT,” she pointed out, adding that in a matter of two months, two member secretaries have been shunted out and the third is holding multiple charges of the civil supplies department, directorate of environment, department of science, technology and environment, and the GCZMA.

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vigilant locals investigate into illegalities in Anjuna

Posted on July 1, 2016 by crtgoa9020

Officials and those responsible for these illegalities should be punished and made to pay dearly. No Development Zone is no development zone and cannot be changed for someone private benefit.

cur

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Dudhsagar tour jeeps fear loss of livelyhood

Posted on July 1, 2016 by crtgoa9020

The tourism authorities should take the local operators into consideration before setting forth any new mechanisms in place. locals should  benefit from tourism first and then the government.

dud

 

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