SHILLONG, Oct 6: The opposition to the government’s plans of introducing casinos in the state is gaining momentum in spite of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s assertion that the move has been temporarily shelved.
Adding weight to the anti-casino movement, Nongkrem MLA Lambor Malngiang on Thursday demanded that the word “casino” should be deleted from the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021.
“The idea of having casinos was never discussed in the Cabinet. Then why do you have to insert the word casino in the Gaming Act,” Malngiang said.
Admitting that the government has come up with the Gaming Act to generate revenue, he asked the government to respect the sentiments of the people who are against setting up of casinos in the state.
Earlier, the government had stated that the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021 had been introduced with the objective of regulate the existing gaming parlours to generate revenue for the state, while hinting that the government could generate Rs 500 crore as revenue annually through casinos.
Special prayer against casino/ gambling today
Resenting the lukewarm attitude of the government authorities on their demand for closure of the casino/ gambling industry and the repeal of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021, the Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders’ Forum has decided to hold a special prayer meet “Praying Together For Good…” at 11 am on Friday at the KJP English Service Church, Police Bazar.
“While anticipating the evils and the social costs which will result from these nefarious activities the Forum calls on leaders of different churches, organisations and institutions to support this movement for the closure of the casino/ gambling industry in our state,” KJCLF Secretary Rev Edwin H Kharkongor said in a statement on Thursday.
