Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 8
During the last five years, the state’s department of finance has earned average revenue of Rs. 8 crore per year against the average yearly target of Rs. 7 crore by way of conducting lotteries.
After the introduction of the lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010, a uniform set of rules issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs w.e.f April 1, 2010, the total number of daily draws has been reduced from 9000 to 24 draws only per day and 8688 draws in a year, thereby drastically reducing sales volumes.
However, through timely remedial measures of the state government the earnings of the department have increased. The ratio of the department’s earning is very high as compared to the total expenditure, according to the annual administrative report of the finance department tabled in the recently concluded assembly session.
In order to improve the revenue earnings, the department has initiated three measures- to charge Rs. 2000 per draw from the lotteries of other states being sold in Nagaland as per the lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010, to encourage the distributors of Nagaland State Lotteries to conduct more bumper draws. If this attempt is successful, the government may even double the existing rate is fixed at Rs. 7.50 lakh per bumper draw.
The department also stated that attempts are being made to revive major markets in states like Kerala and Karnataka who have imposed high taxes on sale of lotteries of other states in violation of the Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010 passed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
The Acts, Rules and Regulations under which the Directorate of Nagaland State Lotteries functions are- Nagaland State Lotteries Rules, 1972 (for conventional/paper lotteries), Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998, Nagaland State Online Lotteries Rules, 2003 (for on-line lotteries), Nagaland State Lottery Rules, 2007 (for Paper & on-line lotteries) and Lotteries (Regulation) Rules, 2010.
