WORKERS of the closed Casino Pokhara Grande on Wednesday staged a protest in front of the District Administration Office, demanding the government provide compensation for the loss of jobs and assure employment. The workers have accused the government of enforcing new sterner rules that resulted in the closure of the casino. They submitted a memorandum to CDO Yadav Prasad Adhikari, stating they will not withdraw their protest until the government guarantees their jobs. The workers said they have not received salaries for last two months. “We have become jobless. It will be difficult for us to feed our family now,” said Naraj Khadka, president of All Nepal Hotel Casino Workers’ Union. He said 250 casino workers have been laid off. The gaming house was shut four days ago after the government increased different fees for casino operation. MD Shyam Sundar Khadka said operating casino amid such a high taxes and royalty is almost impossible. As per the new government provision, casinos have to pay Rs 40 million as annual royalty fee and deposit the same amount as bank guarantee at the Tourism Ministry. They should have a paid-up capital of Rs 250 million. Earlier, the collateral amount was Rs 20 million. The casino had been operating in Pokhara since July 2006.
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