The Hindu : A bolt from the blue: lottery traders

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 10, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

A bolt from the blue: lottery traders

By S. Shivakumar

CHENNAI JAN. 9. Lottery shops downed shutters and several pavement traders were missing in the city in the wake of the State Government ban on sale of lottery tickets.

Shocked traders gathered at their association premises on Triplicane High Road to chalk out the future course of action. "I don't know any other business. I am now 40 years old and have registered my name with the employment exchange in vain. This sudden decision by the Government has come as a bolt from the blue. My family will be on the street", lamented Visagan Raja, a lottery trader from Parrys.

It was the same story with most other traders many of whom were still confused at the sudden turn of events. "We are not even sure why the Government should take such a firm decision. If there were any irregularities the culprits could have been identified and punished. I cannot think of any other reason but probably the Government wants to have monopoly over the trade", another trader charged.

In Chennai, there are about 1,200 stockists and another 5,000 agents. Over 50,000 persons are directly involved in the trade and an equal number indirectly benefit from the lottery business, which has a turnover of about Rs. two to three crores everyday. Apart from this think about the stationery, telephone calls and other inputs, says A. Palaninathan, president, Chennai Lottery Merchants Welfare Association.

"Many of those in the trade have made bulk investments for shops and other equipment. For instance several establishments have been computerised. All this is now going waste. How will we be able to manage these losses", he added.

"Presently there are two draws of the TN lottery everyday. From January 20 there have been advertisements that there will be an additional eight draws, making it a total of ten draws everyday. In these circumstances, the ban has come as a surprise and rude shock", Mr. Palaninathan said.

Another trader, K. Pillai Perumal of Triplicane said: "The Government should take steps to encourage traders to sell more of its tickets by aggressive marketing and promotion. Then traders will also go all out to promote the local lottery tickets". Meanwhile, the traders have convened a meeting for Friday to finalise their next course of action. "We will probably organise a fast or some demonstration but the sooner the Government takes up our cause sympathetically the better for our families", Mr. Palaninathan said.

However, the traders could not give a proper reply on the `addictive nature' of the trade to which many persons, especially in the lower strata, get hooked. Also the problem of `single digit lotteries', which played havoc in the lives of several families, remains unanswered. Many sellers were part of the ring of illegal lotteries, including the single digit variety. Fake tickets were another problem, casting a shadow on the trade.

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