From: rdsg2...@gmail.com To:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Floating-hotel-cum-casino-gets-state-nod-with-rider/articleshow/47089182.cmsFloating hotel-cum-casino gets state nod with riderMurari Shetye | Apr 29, 2015 PANAJI: The state government has granted approval to Goa's first five-star floating hotel-cum-casino with the condition that the vessel cannot be plied in the River Mandovi. The vessel operator has asked the state to identify where it can ply and till then allow it to operate in the River Mandovi. With the state government failing to notify the gaming commission rules, drawn up and passed by the assembly in 2012, there is no relocation policy for casinos yet. The moving of offshore casinos out of the River Mandovi was part of the BJP's manifesto for the 2012 assembly elections. On Tuesday, additional secretary (home) Sanjiv Gadkar told TOI that the government has in-principle approved the transfer of licence of Deltin M V Caravela to Deltin M V Royal Flotal. "We have told them to operate outside River Mandovi," he added. Whereas Deltin Pleasure Cruise Company Private Limited, which belongs to Delta Corporation Ltd, has asked the state government to identify the location where they can ply the M V Royal Flotal and start operations or else allow them to operate in River Mandovi till the government relocation policy is finalized, said Gadkar. The firm has also informed the state government that it has received all permissions from authorities concerned, such as the Goa state pollution control board, directorate of food and drugs administration, etc. A few months ago, Delta Corp's chairman Jaydev Mody had said the firm is hoping to start operations of the floating hotel-cum-casino soon. The floating hotel, with its 15 suites, a spa and restaurant, will also have a small casino onboard. In May 2013, Caravela, Goa's first offshore casino, was moved out of the River Mandovi for refurbishing. It was renamed Deltin Royal Flotal. Sources told TOI that work on the new avatar of Caravela is almost complete at the dry dock at Sancoale, near Vasco, and the ship is expected to be ready for operations soon. There are four offshore casinos operating in the state. Two belong to Delta and two to the Pride Group. The Ashok Khetrapal-led Pride Group in 2013 purchased Casino Carnival from V M Salgaocar & Bro Pvt Ltd for a sum close to Rs 82 crore.
