SHILLONG, Sep 19: Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday urged Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to review the government decision on setting up casinos in the wake of widespread opposition from several quarters.
In a letter addressed to the CM, Lyngdoh said there is widespread apprehension and displeasure among political leaders, religious bodies and NGOs with regard to the casino decision.
“I am of the opinion that the views and concerns raised by the church body should be taken seriously by the government in the interest of the general public of the state. In the light of the above mentioned concerns and observations made, the government may review its decision on the matter,” Lyngdoh wrote.
It may be noted that the state government has decided to scrap the casino move. The CM had announced during the recent autumn session that the three provisional licences issued for operating casinos in the state will lapse on September 29.
Sangma had informed the House that the licences were issued on March 29 and were valid for six months.
The CM had, however, ruled out scrapping the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021, saying that the legislation seeks to prevent local people from the ill effects of gaming.
