SANGUEM
Quepem Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate Manohar Karekar has issued a memorandum to Quepem police, after a ‘Grand Housie’ with prizes worth Rs 8 lakh was conducted during a cultural event at the Government Sports Complex in Borimol-Quepem on March 31.
Sources informed The Goan that a show-cause was also issued by the department concerned to the officer incharge of Government Sports Complex Quepem to explain how the event was permitted at the government complex.
The 'Grand Housie' was part of a musical show presented on March 31 at 8.45 pm. The first full-house had a cash prize of Rs 6 lakh, followed by second full-house (Rs 50,000), Jaldi 5 (Rs 50,000), Jaldi 7 (Rs 50,000), Horizontal Line (Rs 50,000) and 10 spot prizes of Rs 1,000 each. The housie tickets were priced at Rs 1,000 per 3 tickets.
On March 23, South Goa SP Tikam Singh said he had issued strict instructions to all the police stations in South Goa to stop the Grand Housie events in the South Goa jurisdiction.
The memorandum served by the Quepem Deputy Collector reportedly follows a complaint of a 'Grand Housie' staged in the open at the Government Sports Complex in Borimol-Quepem and the failure of police to stop the event.
“It is surprising as to why Quepem police is not initiating any action against the highly publicised 'Grand Housie' events despite huge banners being displayed all over the taluka. More so, even after strict directives were issued by the South Goa SP to stop such housie games in South Goa,” said the source.
The memorandum issued by the Quepem deputy collector to the Quepem police states that Grand Housie games come under the Gambling Act and needs requisite permissions from the authorities.
Sources also informed The Goan that the South Goa Collector has also taken cognisance of the recent popularity of Grand Housie events all over South Goa with the promise of huge cash prizes.
2 more 'Housie'
events in Quepem
While the office of the Quepem deputy collector is yet to receive a report from the police regarding the ‘Grand Housie’ staged on March 31, two such ‘Grand Housie’ events have also been planned in Quepem over the next few days.
One ‘Grand Housie’ will take place at Quepem garden on Saturday with cash prizes amounting to Rs 3 lakh.
Another ‘Grand Housie’ is scheduled at the Borimol Sports Complex on April 8 with cash prizes amounting to Rs 15 lakh, which will take place as part of a musical show. The first full-house carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, followed by 2nd full-house (Rs 2 lakh), Jaldi 5 (Rs 1 lakh), Jaldi 7 (Rs 1 lakh) and horizontal line (Rs 1 lakh).
Aware of the two planned events, Quepem Dy Collector Manohar Karekar in his memorandum to Quepem police has also directed the police to ensure videography of the events in Quepem on April 5 and April 8 and to submit the footage to his office within 24 hours.
