The Goa government has got its priorities totally skewed. Instead of setting up a Special Investigative Team (SIT) to combat the flourishing drug trade in the state, the government wants to set up an SIT on matka and that too by roping a retired High Court judge in the arena to crack down on matka.
Matka has its wings long drawn across India and even in many countries overseas. It is definitely a lesser evil than the lethal drug menace or even the illegalities that the government has been merrily watching in the casinos. Gambling cannot be the privilege of only the rich and affluent.
Why is there a need for an SIT on matka? While there are some people who believe that gambling in any form shouldn't be encouraged, there are others who think that matka should be legalised. In Goa it has become a widespread industry across every nook and corner of the state while it is the only source of income for thousands of matka agents.
In fact after the Supreme Court directed the law commission and the government to consider the suggestion of legalising betting, the Law Commission of India earlier this year issued a public notice inviting suggestions from stakeholders and members of the general public on whether gambling and betting should be legalised.
The Commission noted that since the issue of gambling and betting is linked, it would study the possibility of legalizing both betting and gambling by making a comprehensive study of the existing laws. It opined that that there was a strong case for legalizing gambling and betting since it will earn tax revenues to the state coffers.
Aires Rodrigues, Ribandar
