Margao: Leader of opposition Yuri Alemao on Wednesday strongly condemned BJP govt’s decision to denotify 3.3 lakh sqm of command area land under the Tillari irrigation project at Dhargalim, Pernem, alleging that it was to facilitate investment to set up a casino.Alemao, who flagged the issue during the last assembly session, said govt was determined to push through the denotification of 3,33,805 sqm from the Command Area Development Authority despite opposition from locals and MLAs.“This govt wants to establish a ‘casino city’ in Dhargalim. This decision is driven by the hefty ‘hafta’ collected from casino operators. Without such vested interests, govt would never denotify this land,” he alleged.Alemao also took aim at the public consultation process, calling it a mere formality. “Govt has already decided to sell our land to casinos. First, they polluted the Mandovi river, and now they are attempting to pollute the culture of our villages by inviting casinos,” he said.Alemao said he would raise the matter in the forthcoming assembly session and seek clarification from chief minister Pramod Sawant. “This govt is completely under the control of the casino lobby and its crony capitalist allies,” he said.
