KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to check the possibilities of imposing a complete ban on lottery in the state such as the ban imposed on arrack.
The court also enquired about the possibilities of rehabilitating the lottery agents and sellers. It made the observations while considering petitions challenging the lottery ordinance.
Counsel for the state government submitted that once the ban is imposed on lottery, there are chances for illicit lotteries mushrooming. Justice C K Abdul Rehim adjourned further the hearing of the case to December 10 the petitions submitted by Megha Distributors proprietor A John Kennedy and two others.
Meanwhile, the Central Government submitted before the court that it had, in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs, took up the matter with the Royal Government of Bhutan.
The provisions of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998 and the Lottery (regulation) Rules 2010 have also been appropriately conveyed to the Royal Government of Bhutan, the Centre submitted. The Centre made the submissions in a counter-affidavit submitted by Vinay Shankar Panday, Undersecretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Centre further submitted that since a Single Judge upheld the Act, it had nothing to say on the matter. The ordinance is within the powers of the state government and is valid and constitutional. "The amendment to Section 10 is only in aid of the main objective of Section 10, namely to collect the tax in advance. Hence the amendment is valid and constitutional," counsel for the centre submitted.