Karnataka to ban online lottery scheme

The Congress-Janata Dal-Secular coalition government in Karnataka has decided to ban the online lottery scheme in the state.

At a meeting of both the parties here on the proposed Common Minimum Programme (CMP), the leaders agreed to implement some of the poll promises made during the recent Assembly elections.

Chief minister N Dharam Singh and deputy chief minister S Siddaramaiah told mediapersons that the government would raise alternative resources to fund the mid-day meals scheme (Akshar Dasoha), which was partly financed from the proceeds of the online lottery.

Banning the online lottery scheme was one of the poll promises made by the Janata Dal-Secular party in its manifesto on coming to power. After two rounds of preliminary discussions, the Congress has agreed to make the proposed ban as part of the CMP.

The meeting also decided to extend the mid-day meals scheme up to class X from class VII during the current academic year in all the government schools where it has been introduced.

"As part of the CMP, the state government will offer 20 kg of rice at Rs 3.50 per kg to 6.4 million families living below the poverty line (BPL) through fair price shops across the state," the chief minister said.

Fulfilling one of its poll promises, the Congress has also decided to construct 30 hostels in the state for the students of SC, ST and minorities. The state Budget will spell out the details of the estimated cost and their location.