Congress patronage of Goa’s casino industry worrying: Seva Dal

PANAJI - The patronage of the Congress-led coalition government to the casino industry in Goa is an issue of concern and will be taken up with the party’s state and central leadership, a senior Seva Dal functionary said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Panaji, Seva Dal chief national organizer Mahendra Joshi also said that Seva Dal, a grassroots organizational outfit of the Congress party, was also taking stock of the environmental scenario in Goa.

“Gambling does not fit into the principles of Seva Dal. We will speak to the Congress leaders in Goa about the issue,” Joshi, who was in Goa to take stock of Seva Dal activities in the state, said.

There are presently more than a dozen land-based casinos in the various five star hotels spread throughout Goa, in addition to the seven offshore casinos licenced to operate off the coast of the tourism state.

The casino industry in Goa, has prospered in recent times under the Congress-led coalition government much to the chagrin of civil society groups, who have repeatedly protested against endorsement of the casino industry by the state government.

Joshi also said that his organization would also take stock of the environmental degradation in the state.

“I am here to meet my cadre in Goa. We will study the environment issue,” Joshi, who is the head of the Seva Dal throughout the country, said.

Known by their trademark Gandhi ‘topi’ and a white attire, the Seva Dal has nearly 3,000 members in Goa and nearly 7,000 branches throughout India.