MARGAO
Beware, housie organizers and enthusiasts, especially those from South Goa district! You may be hauled up under the provisions of Public Gambling Act, 1976 if caught organizing housie and other gambling activities.
For, the South Goa district Collector, IAS Egna Cleetus has issued a fiat to all deputy Collectors and Sub-divisional Magistrate in the South district to crack a whip against Housie and other gambling activities in the district by conducting inspections and raids.
In fact, the district Collector has decided to personally monitor the action initiated by the deputy Collectors and Sub-divisional magistrates as evident by the fact the Collector has directed the officials to submit a weekly report on actions taken to her office.
In the memorandum, the Collector has told the deputy Collectors and SDMs to monitor their respective jurisdictions closely for any information, reports, or complaints pertaining to housie and advertisement promotions or any other illegal gambling activities.
They have been told to coordinate with the local police authorities to conduct prompt and effective action, including inspections, raids, and seizures as necessary, wherever such unlawful gambling operations are suspected or reported.
That’s not all. The officials have received further directions from the Collector to take appropriate legal action under the provisions of the Public Gambling Act, 1976 against individuals or groups found involved in organizing or participating in illegal gambling activities. “Submit a weekly report on actions taken under this directive to the undersigned”, the Collector said.
Asserting that the directive may be treated as most urgent, Collector Cleetus urged the officials to take necessary steps forthwith to curb illegal gambling activities in the interest of public order and lawful conduct in the district.
“It has come to the notice of the undersigned that certain illegal gambling activities, including but not limited to housie and other unauthorized gambling activities are being organized in various parts of South Goa District”, the Collector said.
She added: “As per the provisions of the Goa Public Gambling Act, 1976, such activities are cognizable and punishable offences. The Act prohibits the operation and maintenance of common gaming houses, as well as gambling in public or private places without lawful authority or license”.
As the housie kicked up a storm, especially in South Goa, with organizers announcing housie around Salcete countryside besides at many places in down South, district Police Chief, Tikam Singh had directed the in-charges of police stations in the district to stop housie forthwith. However, except the areas under the Vasco police sub-division, housie continued unabated in many areas despite the police directives.
