Do fiscal reforms, not gambling, to address financial crisis of Himachal: Anurag
hillquest
Hamirpur, August 26
“Do fiscal reforms, not gambling to address financial crisis of Himachal Pradesh” said former Union Minister Anurag Thakur while condemning the decision of starting state run Lottery in a letter written by him to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today. He urged state government to immediately withdraw the Finance Department’s tender for reintroducing state-run lotteries in Himachal Pradesh. Referring to e-tender 2026_DTAL_141511_1, issued for the appointment of a sole selling agent for an online and offline lottery system. He said that the proposal be scrapped in its entirety in the larger public interest.
Anurag Thakur highlighted the rare political consensus that has kept lotteries banned in the state for over two decades. He recalled that the government led by then Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal imposed the ban in 1999 after witnessing its adverse impact on employees, pensioners, labourers and youth. Even the Congress government led by the then CM Virbhadra Singh reimposed the ban in 2007. He noted that successive governments led by Virbhadra Singh, Prem Kumar Dhumal and Jai Ram Thakur continued the prohibition despite fiscal pressures, reflecting the experience and concerns of the people of the state.
Warning against the social consequences of reviving lotteries, Anurag said Himachal Pradesh had already witnessed families losing salaries, savings and pensions to lottery gambling, pushing households into financial distress.
Thakur also referred to Articles 38 and 47 of the Constitution, which underline the State’s responsibility towards public welfare and protection from practices injurious to public health and well-being. Thakur suggested strengthening GST compliance and digital integration as more sustainable avenues for revenue mobilisation.
