Punjab earns Rs 168 cr through sale of lottery tickets

Chandigarh, Nov 5 (UNI) Punjab earned a record income of Rs 168.78 crore during the last fiscal year through the sale of lotteries, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Raj Khurana stated here today.

Mr Khurana made this statement while giving away the prizes to the winners of Punjab State Rakhi Bumper-2007 and monthly lotteries of July and August 2007 at a state level function organised by the state Department of Lotteries.

The total amount disbursed was Rs 2.55 crore to the winners at the function.

According to Mr Khurana, the state lottery system was popular due to its transparent and fair draw system. Highlighting the achievements of the department, he said that besides helping the state exchequer, the department had generated tremendous avenues of self-employment and also utilised the funds generated to execute various development activities in the state for the welfare of the people.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Jaspreet Talwar, Director Lotteries said that the government was already taking steps to check the speculative trends through slip systems in the name of weekly lotteries. Departmental flying squads were already active to nab a few outsiders involved in this game promoting speculations, she added.

To make the system people friendly and transparent, the department had started selling the lottery tickets through post offices also, she said. She assured that the tradition of transparency in the entire lottery draws would be maintained at all costs.

She also appealed to the public to keep their full faith and confidence intact in the Punjab State Lotteries and keep buying lottery tickets for the next Punjab State Ma Lakshmi Diwali Puja Bumper 2007 draw due on November 14.

UNI