Pramod Sawant has been named the new chief minister of Goa, and he is already facing a number of issues with the Indian state’s economy. A mining industry crippled by legal challenges has 25% of the state’s population out of work, creating for a very depressing environment for Sawant to try to resurrect.
With several options on the table, one that is gaining steam is a new proposal to allow for offshore casinos to be moved inland. This looks to be going against a plan that was all but derailed back in January, as the new chief minister is clearly keeping his options open.
Earlier this year, the tourism minister for India, Manohar Ajgaonkar, had explained that the legislative assembly for Goa had drafted their tourism plan for the year and that expansion of gambling operations was not seen as part of that plan at all. Ajgaonkar provided a written statement to local media outlets informing them that those involved in the tourism industry had finalized a plan, but did not see new casinos as a part of any long-term vision.
However, that did not mean that existing operations could not be moved to locations that were much more advantageous. This looks to be something that the new chief minister is considering as one of his first official acts since taking hold of the reins of the government. In an interview with the Times of India, the chief minister showed support for a proposal written by his predecessor. He also indicated that he would take a closer look at the possibility of opening new casino operations, something that his party seems to be against at this point.
The plan appears to be part of a proposal by the previous chief minister, Manohar Parrikar, who proposed moving the casinos from offshore to an area inland over the next four years. Parrikar had first proposed the idea back in August 2018, which included providing licenses for up to 15 years for casino companies that were willing to shift their operations to a location off the Mandovi River.
However, the proposal seemed to get a little traction, that is until Parrikar turned over the reins of the government to his successor a day before passing away. Now, the idea seems to have gained new life under the new chief minister.
This will still likely not lead to new casino operators being allowed to open up operations in the state but will provide additional job opportunities, as existing casinos move operations to the new location. This could help to reinvigorate the struggling state by providing construction jobs as well as support staff during the building of the structures.
