Hidden agenda in rising state lottery prices: Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram: Former chief minister Oommen Chandy has alleged hidden agenda in increasing the prices of state lotteries from Rs 30 to Rs 40.
“The agenda is to invite other state lotteries and thereby increase the revenue of the state through this. Already there is a favourable verdict from the high court for other state lotteries to do business in the state. Hence by increasing the prices of state lotteries, the other state lotteries will thrive in Kerala,” said Chandy.
Already the state lottery business is facing severe crisis. Now with the increase in prices, the other state lotteries will be sold much cheaper than our lotteries. This will also affect lakhs of people who are totally dependent on the lottery business. When the prices are increased, the business will be affected and sales will come down. Mizoram lotteries are priced much lower than our lottery. They are waiting for a chance to come back to the state to do thriving business.
The LDF government has always taken a soft stand towards other state lotteries and hence the state will soon witness this once again. It was the UDF government which banned other state lotteries, said Chandy. TNN