Goa has become the sin city of India; Congress president

Monday 11th of April 2016

Goa Congress president Luizinho Faleiro has slammed the BJP government, saying casinos have made Goa the sin city of India, local media reports.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a social function in the state capital, Faleiro, a former Goa Chief Minister, said the government had failed to crack down on prostitution, which he claims was rampant in the state. He also said the BJP government had betrayed the people by going back on its word to do away with casinos.

"This is the Goa which we want to tourists to come to? Goa has become a sin city of India with its casino industry. Prostitution is also rampant in the state," Faleiro said.

Before the 2012 state Assembly polls the BJP government had led a sustained campaign against the casino industry, and promised to rid Mandovi of the casinos.

However, once voted into power, the coalition government have maintained that the casino industry is essential to the economy of the state.

Last week, Goa’s chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar announced the deadline for the shifting of casinos from the River Mandovi was to be postponed “until suitable alternative sites are finalized”.

The move sparked rage from the opposition, who said the postponement was a clear case of “back-stabbing" the people of Goa.

Offshore casino Extension Goa River Mandovi