Nitin Gadkari shoots down idea of casino islands, wants Patanjali, Art of Living to create facilities

Road, transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari is against setting up of casinos on islands that are being opened up for tourism. Instead, he wants organisations like yoga guru Ramdev's Patanjali and Sri Sri Ravishankar's Art of Living to create facilities at the 1,300-plus islands.

"We oppose things like casinos, and I will not give permission for that. People will also not tolerate such things," Gadkari said at an industry event here. Organisations like the Art of Living and the Patanjali Group are doing good work and should start ayurvedic spas to give massages and ayurvedic treatment on the islands, he added.

Gadkari said that apart from ayurveda and traditional wellness activities, entertainment facilities are also welcome on the islands, but definitely not casinos. Operation of casinos has been a controversial issue and only Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Goa, the Union Territory of Daman and Sikkim allow gambling. According to the Constitution, permission for gambling and setting up casinos comes in the State List.

Referring to a conference held earlier to leverage on the tourism potential offered by the islands and lighthouses, Gadkari said that the government has decided to open up 1,300 islands and 280 lighthouses. He said that there is a good demand for activities like yoga and traditional Indian wellness programmes from foreigners and apart from foreign exchange, it will also help in generating employment.

The minister also said that the government will invite tenders for three new major ports in Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu by March which will involve an investment of Rs 20,000 crore.

(In association with Mail Today Bureau)