DIMAPUR, MARCH 2 (MExN): A meeting to elicit the views of political parties and State Governments on the Lotteries (Prohibition) Bill, 1999 was convened by the Union Home Minister recently.
Leaders of different political parties at national level and Finance Ministers of the concerned State Governments were requested to give their opinion on the Lotteries (Prohibition) Bill pending in the Rajya Sabha since 1999.
The overwhelming view at the meeting was that lotteries should not be prohibited, but there should be stronger and more effective regulation of the lotteries so that its positive gains are maximized and adverse social effects minimized.
It was decided that political parties and the State Governments who could not attend the meeting would be requested to send their views in the matter in writing.
A Committee headed by Union Home Secretary with Finance Secretaries from the State Governments as members will be constituted. This Committee will examine the suggestions made by the political parties and the State Governments and will recommend as to how the objective of maximizing the positive gains and minimizing the adverse social effects is achieved.
The Committee will submit its report within three months.
