SHRPP alleges scam at Directorate of Lotteries

GANGTOK, 16 May: Sikkim Himali Rajya Parishad Party [SHRPP] claims to have unraveled a huge scam running to crores of rupees involving the Directorate of Sikkim State Lotteries under the Finance Revenue & Expenditure Department. This, according to the party, has come to light from the information furnished by the Directorate to the RTI application filed by SHRPP treasurer and advisor, SB Gurung.
Mr Gurung informed that based on the open tender notice taken out on 25 October 2000 and tender process held on 21 November 2000, the State Government appointed Martin Lottery Agencies Limited, Coimbatore as distributor for minimum of Rs 1,600 crore turnover per annum for Weekly and Bumper Schemes with denomination of rupee one each for weekly and for bumper draws as permissible under the Lottery (Regulation) Act, 1998.
He informed that a MoU was signed on 17 February 2001 and was enforced from 09 April 2001 to 8 April 2006 for 17 weekly lottery schemes and bumper draws.
Mr Gurung mentioned that as per information received from the Directorate through RTI, Martin Lottery Agencies deposited Rs 43.53 crore for the financial year 2001-02 inclusive of Government revenue, prize payment, unclaimed prize and administrative charges. However, he said that there are no records of any payment made by the distributor to the state between 2002-06 and alleged that the state must have received payments but no official records were kept.
Mr Gurung informed that he has also sought the records for the period from 2006 till this year.
Party president, Dr AD Subba stated that SHRPP has been underestimated by the ruling and opposition parties in Sikkim and added that now the time has come to show the real power of the party. Responding to media queries on the upcoming Panchayat Elections, Dr Subba expressed doubts on the State government’s intention to conduct the elections but added that the party would contest if the elections are held.
General secretary, Tara Shrestha stated that in Sikkim’s political history there have been no “movements” as such that brought in change but every time “an event” has led to change in the state, so this year too an event will give rise to change.
During the press conference, the party also introduced its new central executive members, Punya Prasad Koirala, who joined the SHRPP after resigning from CPI [M], Dr Laxuman Karki of Ranipool and Phurba Sherpa. Likewise, the party also introduced its new members Phur Tenzee Sherpa and Chandra Hang Limboo from West Sikkim.