Kerala Lottery to cross Rs 1250 cr turnover

T H I R U V A N A N - THAPURAM: The Kerala State Lotteries islikely to attain a turnover of Rs 1250 crore in this fi scaldespite encountering severe adversities posed by illegal lottery traders, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said. Speaking at the inauguration of Karunya Benevolent Fund here, Chandy said the total turnover of Rs 557 crore of previous year was already crossed by the department this year. Claiming that the banning of interstate lotteries had helped increase the revenue of Kerala State Lotteries, he said the new lottery policy of the Congress-led UDF Government had helped stopping money fl owing outside the State. The Chief Minister said the Government would do everything possible to prevent the lottery lobby from gaining a foothold in the sale of other state lotteries. The new lottery policy could create job opportunities for over two Lakh unemployed youth and provide fi nancial assistance to poor victims of deadly diseases, he said. ‘The department’s measures against illegal traders and major agents who monopolised the market helped the poor and handicapped who earn a living through lottery sales,’ he said. The department now rolls out seven weekly lotteries, namely Pratheeksha, Dhanasree, Win-Win, Akshaya, Bhagyanidhi, Karunyaand Pournami. Six bumper lotteries are also held in a year. Karunya Lottery, announced by Finance Minister K M Mani in his fi rst budget, was well received by the public. The profi t from the sale of Karunya is intended to help poor patients suffering from ailments like cancer and kidney diseases, he said. ‘Karunya even attracted those who were not in the habit of trying their luck,’ he added. Finance Minister K.M. Mani said that the income from KarunyaLottery would be used to provide assistance for treating victims of cancer, kidney disease and other serious ailments.