Revoke decision to restart lottery, says Dhumal

Former Chief Minister PK Dhumal today said the decision of the government to restart lottery in Himachal was unfortunate, as it would ruin many families.

Dhumal said that as Chief Minister he had banned lottery in the state as several homes were ruined because of it. “Some people, including daily wage workers and the youth, spent their entire salaries, pension and income on lottery, resulting in their families suffering mental and financial hardships,” he added.

Dhumal said that it was after a court imposed a ban on lottery on April 17, 1996, that he banned lottery in Himachal in 1999. “The Congress again resumed lottery but later Virbhadra Singh banned it again,” he added.