Congress not against casinos in Goa: Digvijaya Singh

Panaji, Aug 27: AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh today said Congress is not against operations of casinos in Goa but wants them to be moved out of river Mandovi.

"We are not against casinos. But as far as our stand is concerned, they will have to move out from Mandovi River.

It has to be decided how far they will have to move away from the coast," Singh said addressing a press conference here. He was in the city to chair the coordination committee meeting of local Congress unit ahead of the Assembly polls due next March.

Goa has six off-shore casino vessels anchored in river Mandovi near Panaji which has become bone of contention for the political parties.

Opposition Congress has accused the BJP-led government of reneging from its poll promise of moving out the casinos from Mandovi.

To a query on mining, Singh said if Congress is voted to power in Goa, all the cases of illegal mining would be probed and action taken against guilty.

The AICC general secretary said the party wants sustainable mining in the state, which will provide employment to thousands of people.

"(Former CM) Manohar Parrikar had claimed illegal mining was worth Rs 35,000 crore in Goa. How much of the money have they recovered till date?," he questioned.

PTI