Editor,
Despite the presence of the Arunachal Pradesh Gambling Prohibition Act, 2012, organising lucky draws is common in Arunachal Pradesh. In many cases it is inevitable also, especially lucky draws organised by various indigenous festival celebration committees. It is estimated that annually Rs 50 to 60 crores are transacted in the lucky draws organised by indigenous festival celebration committees. There cases of cheating in several instances, and that is likely to became a social nuisance in the days to come.
Therefore I would like to suggest the following ways to regulate the lucky draw system being practiced in our state, in the greater interest of the people.
- 0.5:% to 5% of total expected value calculate from the number of coupons must be collected as government revenue through treasury challan or any other means at least 10 days before the draw date.
- This revenue amount must not be calculate from the number of sold coupons only as shown by the organisers, since there is every possibility of hiding certain amounts.
- The organisers must be made to deposit 70% to 80% of the amount collected from coupons sold to the account of the respective deputy commissioner or any other government agency as deemed fit before one week of the draw date, so that if any mismanagement is detected after the draw, said amount can be confiscated and the problem solved genuinely. Twenty to 30% are expended during management of the entire process.
- One executive magistrate and one police officer not the below the rank of sub-inspector must be deputed by the DA to oversee the draw. If any mismanagement is found, these officers may stop the draw instantly or manage accordingly. For any post draw problems, these two officers must be held responsible.
- The amount mentioned in Sl No 3 should be released exactly 10 days after the draw if no any faults are found.
- Recognised indigenous festival celebration committees, community-based organisations and clan-based organisations only may be allow to organise such a draw, with due permission from district administration concerned and clan-based organisations must be made to obtain permission from the respective CBO and the DA.
- Individuals, fake NGOs, NGOs, sports bodies, etc, should not be granted permission to organise lucky draws at any cost. Most of these are either individuals or hardly 3-6 persons. Most of the cheating cases are reported from these groups of organisers.
- The size of the lucky coupon must be a minimum of A4, where all the contents of the lucky draw permission copies are clearly printed.
- Only cash prize lucky draws should be allowed to be organised. No prize in kind at any cost. Prizes in kind are either misused or cheated.
- All draws, whether sold or unsold, with the name of the winner must be announced instantly at the drawing venue, as well as published in newspapers. For that, the organisers must file the names of the coupon buyers on a computer for instant announcement of the name of the winner or unsold, as the Tagin community is doing in their Si Donyi Hillo Lucky Draw.
- Extension of the draw date must not be allowed at any cost. Such an act leads to poor management, as well as mismanagement.
Take Lusi Sorum,
Block Education Officer,
O/o DDSE
Daporijo