Replaces Dhanasree lottery
The state government of Kerala, on India’s tropical Malabar Coast, will roll out a new lottery to fund a number of social programs for women as well as education, according to a report in the New Indian Express.
The financial assistance scheme was approved by the cabinet on January 3. The Sthree Shakthi lottery, which will replace the Dhanasree lottery, expects to generate R100 crore (US$21.4 million) per year, the Express reported.
“The aim is to develop and empower women in selected sectors,” said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy after the measure was approved. “Dhanasree costs Rs 40 a ticket and had its draw on Fridays. The new lottery will cost Rs 50.”
Revenues generated through the new lottery will also assist in “employment generation, rehabilitation, higher education, assistance for the differently abled, assistance to families headed by women, elderly women, the mentally challenged, widows and eligible women in other categories.”
In other Indian lottery news reported by the Asia Gaming Brief, the country’s comptroller and auditor general are investigating alleged lottery malpractices run by the Mizoram government. Local media reported that an investigation into the Institutional Finance and State Lottery will be complete within two months. It is alleged that millions of rupees have been lost annually due to government employee malpractice.
