KOHIMA, OCT 30 (DIPR): The new office building complex of the Directorate of Nagaland State Lotteries, located at P.R. Hill, Kohima was inaugurated today by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio as the Chief Guest.
Speaking at the inaugural function held in the Conference Room on the third floor, Neiphiu Rio said that the urge of the people to earn riches through lucky draw of lots is a common human trait prevalent the world over throughout all ages. Rio said that this method of raising revenues was favored even in ancient times by empires to fill up their treasuries. Lotteries were used to raise funds for social welfare schemes such as managing old age homes, orphanages, schools for mentally retarded etc, he added.
He pointed out that some states have earmarked lottery funds on specific schemes such as funding of mid-day meals in primary schools in Karnataka, health and education in Tamil Nadu, building rural roads in Maharashtra etc. Rio said that the Government of Nagaland too utilizes a substantial amount of the revenues generated by lotteries to promote sports and youth activities in the state. He said that in countries abroad, lotteries generate annual turnovers close to 10 billion Dollars with banks being a part of the operation in countries like Japan and Korea. He said that on the other hand, there are many who dwell on the negative aspects of gambling and have sought to ban lotteries. He stressed on the need to properly regulate lotteries and to ensure that it is carried out in a fair and transparent manner and that there is a fair prize for the players.
Rio said that while discussing the pros and cons of lotteries, particularly in the context of Nagaland, it must be acknowledged that things have not always been smooth since its inception in the year 1972. There were times when functioning of the Department had often come to a halt on account of misreporting of facts and partly on account of default in payments by some of the state’s sole distributors, but then, the conducts of lotteries in most parts of the country have not always been smooth and free from controversies owing to which the Lotteries (Regulation) Act of 1988 was enacted to regulate lotteries.
Rio said that the State Government has reviewed existing agreements with the sole selling agents to ensure better revenue for the state. He also said that to ensure transparency the selection of the sole selling agent for the state’s paper lotteries was for the first time made through open tender system.
The state’s revenue from lotteries saw a huge jump from Rs 2.10 crores during 2003-04 to Rs 11.69 crores in 2004-05. This was further increased to Rs 15.81 crores during the year 2005-06, he said.
Rio also said the Ministry of Home Affairs, GOI has set up Study Group comprising a few states including Nagaland to study the conduct of lotteries in other more advanced countries and to find out ways and means of making the conduct of lotteries in the country more fair, transparent and beneficial to both the players and the Government.
The building was inaugurated one day before the Secretary (Finance) & Ex-Officio Director, Nagaland State Lotteries, C.R. Lotha’s retirement from office. The Directorate had been functioning under difficult conditions in a small building of the Old Secretariat Complex. With working hours beginning from 9 am till 9:30 pm without any holidays there was a pressing need to have a separate building with sufficient space and amenities to mitigate the special working conditions of Lottery Department, Rio said.
Rio also thanked Mrs. Sano Vamuzo and her children for allowing the government to purchase the building which is centrally and conveniently located for running the state lotteries.
The programme was chaired by Finance Commissioner, Nagaland, H.K. Khulu, IAS, while vote of thanks was proposed by Secretary (Fin) & Ex- Officio Director, Nagaland State Lotteries, C.R. Lotha. Other officials who attended the function included Chief Information Commissioner, P Talitemjen, ADGP, C Kikon and several others.
