KOCHI: Finance minister Thomas Isaac fears a loss of Rs 4,000 crore per year from lottery sales once the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is implemented. Speaking after inaugurating a convention of lottery sellers and agents here on Tuesday, Dr Isaac said that lotteries will come under GST and that will force the state to allow operations of lotteries from other states such as Sikkim, which have been banned. The banned lotteries from Sikkim and Bhutan can make come back using GST window, he pointed out. Kerala has banned their sale for violating laws governing lotteries in India.
Lottery stakeholders in Kerala, cutting across political lines should stay united to oppose the return of banned lotteries, Dr Isaac said. The lottery agents and sellers should prepare a mass petition and submit the same to the Union government demanding that the banned lotteries should not be allowed to enter the state. Unlike lottery run by state government in Kerala, the banned lotteries were operated by private individuals on behalf of the state government of Sikkim and Bhutan.
“These lotteries were operated by mafia-like organisations with money and muscle power,” he pointed out. On welfare measure of lottery workers Dr Isaac said the government will raise pension of lottery workers to Rs 1,000 per month from Rs 500. He also promised wheel-chairs to all physically challenged persons selling lotteries. The government has also approved a proposal to open 15 more lottery sales offices across the state to ease rush at the present offices for lottery buying. On improving the security of lottery tickets, he said the government is considering features such as watermark and hollowgram . The Government is also planning to telecast the draw of lots. He said six cases have been registered in connection with lottery misuse and hoaxes.
