KOCHI: The success of Karunya has proved that income generated through the sale of the lottery is not a bad thing, Union finance minister Arun Jaitley said here on Thursday.
Inaugurating the function to mark the outgo from the Karunaya Benevolent Fund reaching Rs 800 crore covering 111,111 persons in Kochi, Mr Jaitley said other states could replicate the model created by finance minister K.M. Mani.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said if the lottery was a subject of controversy in Kerala five years ago, it has now become a symbol of humanness and mercy.
“The suggestions made by a cross section of people on improving the Karunya scheme are under the consideration of the cabinet,” he said.
“The suggestions included extending the benefits under Karunya to hospitals in the neighbouring states and enabling all hospitals in the state under the Karunya scheme.”
According to the government sources, income from the lottery in the state had reached Rs 5,445.84 crore in the financial year 2014-15.
Four years ago, revenue from the lottery was only Rs 557.69 crore. At present, the lottery is one of the largest sources of non-tax revenue for the state.
