Monserrate docks at CM’s office with casino issue

Panaji: Panaji MLA Atanasio Monserrate said on Tuesday that chief minister Pramod Sawant assured him of moving six offshore casinos out of the Mandovi, but that it would take some time. Monserrate also requested the CM to replace the commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) with a local officer.
Monserrate, along with leader of opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar, met Sawant at the ministerial block to discuss the casino issue as well as parking in Panaji.
“We discussed the casino issue, and Sawant said that he would hold a meeting and sort out the issue,” Monserrate told TOI after the meeting. “He said it would take a bit of time, but that talks have started (to remove the casinos from the Mandovi).”
The newly-elected Panaji MLA, in his manifesto, had promised to remove casinos within 100 days from the day he took oath as Panaji MLA. He said that when the assembly is in session, an amendment would be brought to remove the casinos.
Monserrate, asked whether he is confident of getting the casinos out of the Mandovi, said, “As I said, I will remove the offshore casinos from the Mandovi. We need everyone’s support (to do so).”
The Panaji MLA also urged Sawant to head the Smart City mission, and also discussed the parking issue in the city.
Meanwhile, Monserrateexpressed his happiness at representing the Panaji constituency. “But most important is to deliver on my promises,” he said, adding that he will not support any proposal of a memorial to former chief minister Manohar Parrikar in Panaji.