MARGAO
Saying that law is supreme, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has mulled strict action against Housie since huge amount of prize money is involved in the game.
“It’s true that Housie was organized at programmes and functions in the past, but in a small way. As long as it was organized in a small manner, it was okay. But, the manner in which the prize money has gone up is a matter of concern. The law will take strict action”, he told the media at Navelim on Saturday.
The Chief Minister’s statement assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that the South Goa district Collector, Egna Cleetus has banned House game in the South Goa district jurisdiction.
The Chief Minister’s statement also assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the meeting withGoa Football Association president Caitano Fernandes, wherein the latter has expressed concern that the ban on Housie will have a telling effect on the village football tournaments.
In fact, the GFA president is scheduled to have a meeting with the district Collector early next week in a bid to seek clarity on the ban imposed on Housie in South Goa.
South Goa district Collector Egna Cleetus had earlier this week imposed a ban on Housie in the South Goa district with immediate effect. In fact, the Colletor has appointed the deputy Collectors and Sub-divisional Magistrate to enforce the ban on Housie under the Gambling Act and submit weekly reports to her office.
The district Collector has apparently intervened to ban Housie in the district in view of the fact that organizers have promising huge prizes running into lakhs of rupees for three tickets priced at Rs 1,000.
