New Delhi: Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy on Thursday said that the government would not lift the ban on lotteries in the state under any circumstances.
However, the government would also take stern action against those who illegally sold lottery tickets of other states in the state.
“While intervening in the debate on the demands for grants for commercial taxes department,” PTI quoted Veerasamy as saying.
The minister's clarification came when the AIADMK MLA S M Velusamy wanted to know whether the government would lift the ban.
Earlier, Karnataka minister for Small Savings and Lottery, Ramachandra Gowda had said that the decision to ban lottery and arrack had put the government in a fix with even ministers receiving anonymous letters threatening of dire consequences.
The Karnataka government banned the sale of arrack (country liquor) and lottery in the state.
There is strong support for such a move in rural areas, especially among women, who are the worst sufferers. The powerful arrack lobby, which contributes Rs 3,000 crore as revenue to the government, tried to stall the decision.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minsiter B S Yediyurappa, who earlier presented the Budget, also announced that the state would be a ''Lottery Free Zone'' from April 1.
The ban on lotteries in the state would result in a loss of Rs 250 crore to the exchequer.
(With agency inputs)
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