No vehicles are allowed to park along Panaji’s Dayanand Bandodkar Marg. The traffic police penalize the violators with a fine of Rs 100. The only high-handed exception is for the Casinos who have been flouting this no parking rule with impunity. The traffic police have unofficial orders to turn a Nelson’s eye at the Casinos vehicles which park in the No parking zone.
While as the Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar had consistently and vehemently opposed Casinos while branding them as a ‘social evil’ and had vowed to throw them out if he came to power. Manohar Parrikar had branded Casinos as "dens of vice” and had even led an agitation to demand their closure. But in a anticipated U turn after coming to power on March 9th 2012 he allowed yet another Casino, the monstrous ‘M.V. Horseshoe’ owned by Jaydev Mody the son-in-law of the politically well connected former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee. It may not be just a coincidence that Soli Sorabjee was the Chairman of the Jury that selected Manohar Parrikar in December 2012 for the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year award in Politics. What a deal! The BJP in Goa is madly in love with the Casino brigade which is now getting the government’s total patronage and bountiful support. While the BJP is feasting and making merry with the abundant moolah flowing from the Casinos, Goa has sadly become the country’s gambling hub with the allied vices of prostitution and the narcotics trade also prospering by the day. With even the traffic rules not apply to them, they have become a law unto themselves. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires