HC dismisses Sikkim Lotteries' plea against Kerala Govt

Kochi, Sep 11 (UNI) The Kerala High Court today dismissed a petition filed by the promoters of Sikkim Lotteries, challenging the constitutionality of the Kerala Tax on Paper Lotteries Act, 2005.

The petitioners contended that the amendment made in the Act on April one, 2007, revising the tax rates, was illegal.

Dismissing this contention, Mr Justice C N Ramachandran Nair observed that the petitioners, other State Governments and the Kerala Lottery department were remitting the tax in terms of the revised norms.

''I am unable to accept the argument that the increase in tax is an indirect way of stoppage of lottery tickets in the state of Kerala,'' the court said.

It also observed that the petitioner had no case that they were subject to any regulation or control except in regard to levy of tax.

UNI