Panaji activists urge govt to remove illegal casino ads

Panaji: Civic activists under the banner of Ponjekar against Casinos have accused the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) of turning a blind eye to the proliferation of various advertisements put up by offshore and onshore casinos in the capital.

Ponjekar against Casinos has demanded that the CCP immediately remove all the casino-branded barricades across the city. Citing RTI documents, the activists said that the CCP does not earn any revenue from the advertisements. They also said that the Goa Police’s Traffic Cell has distanced itself from the barricades that are often used to channelise traffic.

“For years, govt and the CCP have allowed casinos a free rein to advertise in the city,” said Sabina Martins. “We condemn this occupation of Panaji by the casinos. It appears that this city belongs to the casinos.”

The group filed RTI petitions with the CCP, Goa Police, and others to check if the capital earns revenue from hoardings and advertisements.

“CCP has not given any permission for these hoardings and barricades, and thus, they do not get any revenue. So who gave the permission, and what is govt doing about it? We met the commissioner and pointed out the irregularities and asked him to remove the barricades and hoardings,” said Martins.

Citizens have volunteered to remove or repaint such barricades placed all over the city.

Last month, a delegation from Ponjekars against Casinos met chief minister Pramod Sawant at his Altinho residence to raise concerns over the entry of Delta Corp’s new casino vessel into the Mandovi river.