PANJIM, April 25 -- Team Herald

The State government is facing strong backlash for leasing out prime public properties in Panjim to casino operators.

Residents of the city are raising their voices against a proposal allowing a multi-storey structure with a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 300% in the area formerly known as Quarterdeck, which is officially designated as a recreational zone under Panjim's Outline Development Plan (ODP). The government had reclaimed the land after the previous lessee defaulted on rent, and has now leased it out again on a long-term basis to a private party. An adjacent plot has also been handed over to a casino operator.

Vasco Dias, a local resident, criticised the government's increasing reliance on casino reve...