Summary:
PORVORIM: Chief minister Manohar Parrikar , on Friday said he will come out with a casino policy by August end wherein areas will be identified and notified where offshore casinos dotting the river Mandovi can be shifted to. Aiming to increase state revenue, the state government recently hiked licensing fees by up to 4.5 times for both, offshore and onshore casinos. Initially casino operators resisted the fee hike, but later started paying the increased fee.Meanwhile, a senior officer, who is part of the team drafting the casino policy said the state would not have any objection if offshore casinos moved operations close to the upcoming Mopa airport. “As a policy, Goans will not be permitted to enter the playing areas. Under the concession between GMR, which is constructing the greenfield airport , and the government, land has been already acquired and earmarked for business activities..