Goa Opposition Leader Slams Government Over Land Denotification for Alleged Casino City
In a sharp condemnation, Yuri Alemao, the Leader of Opposition in Goa, has strongly criticized the BJP-led state government's decision to denotify a substantial 3.3 lakh square meters of command area land under the Tillari irrigation project at Dhargalim in Pernem. Alemao alleges that this move is specifically designed to facilitate investment for establishing a casino, raising serious concerns about governance and local interests.
Allegations of Casino City Development
Alemao, who previously flagged this issue during the last assembly session, asserted that the government is determined to push through the denotification of 3,33,805 square meters from the Command Area Development Authority, despite significant opposition from local residents and MLAs. He stated, "This government wants to establish a 'casino city' in Dhargalim. This decision is driven by the hefty 'hafta' collected from casino operators. Without such vested interests, the government would never denotify this land."
Criticism of Public Consultation Process
The opposition leader also took aim at the public consultation process, labeling it a mere formality. He expressed deep concern over the potential cultural impact, saying, "The government has already decided to sell our land to casinos. First, they polluted the Mandovi river, and now they are attempting to pollute the culture of our villages by inviting casinos." This statement highlights broader environmental and social worries associated with the proposed development.
Planned Assembly Action and Broader Accusations
Alemao announced his intention to raise the matter in the forthcoming assembly session, where he will seek clarification from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. He further accused the government of being under undue influence, stating, "This government is completely under the control of the casino lobby and its crony capitalist allies." These allegations point to a perceived conflict of interest and raise questions about transparency in land-use decisions.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions in Goa over land use, development priorities, and the influence of the gaming industry, with the opposition vowing to challenge the denotification vigorously in legislative forums.
