THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: No information has been received on the sale of lotteries from any other state in Kerala, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac has said. Hence, the sale and stocking of such lottery tickets is illegal. A police probe has been ordered to trace the advertiser and his credentials, the Minister told reporters in the wake of advertisements on the sale of Mizoram lottery tickets in the state. “As per the Central Lotteries Regulation Rules, any state desiring to sell its lottery in Kerala should provide details on the arrangements planned. Details of marketing arrangements, selling and distribution should be furnished. But the state government has not received any communication in this regard,” he said.
In October 2016, Mizoram had written to the government seeking permission for lottery sales. “In our response, we cited the gross violations conducted by them in the past. We also asked for more details. But Mizoram did not respond,” Isaac said. He said the newspaper advertisement on Mizoram Lotteries that appeared on Thursday also raised suspicion over the conduct of the lotteries. The advertisement says 53.17 per cent of the sales proceeds will be distributed as prizes. Agents’ commission is 5.31 pc and GST is 28 pcer cent.
“When other costs like discounts and printing expenses are added, the total cost would be higher than sales proceeds. If it has to be viable, either they have to evade tax or manipulate prizes,” he said.
“Other-state lotteries can be sold only in adherence with the rules. Illegal tickets will be seized by GST department officials,” he added. Isaac said agents of state lotteries will not be allowed to sell other-state lotteries. He also urged the people to avoid encouraging other-state lotteries. “Government plans to spend the entire profit from state lotteries for a comprehensive health scheme,” he said.
Conspiracy
Isaac said he suspects a conspiracy by controversial lottery baron Santiago Martin for a re-entry to the state. “It is learnt that some state lottery agents attended a secret meeting convened by Martin recently. Those cooperating with Martin will face strict action by State Lotteries department, including agency cancellation,” he said. Police have also been asked to probe about the meeting, he said.