Matka Tales from Goa:CM TO CLAMP DOWN ON MATKA.

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Documented by Goa Desc Documentation Service
& circulated by Goa Civic & Consumer Action Network
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CM TO CLAMP DOWN ON MATKA
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by Jyoti Dhond

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has blown the bugle of war
against 'matka' by stating that his government will clamp on
the menace left, right and centre by taking recourse to all legal
and administrative measures.

The chief minister out rightly blamed the police force for
overlooking matka in all nooks and corners of the state and
warned that in future erring policemen will have to face
stringent action, including suspension.

"The police have played enough of hide and seek games.
They have been given promotions and awards.
Now they better act or face action from the government," he said.

"I do not understand why the police are hesitating to book those
who play matka despite strict instructions from me that no one
should be spared," he remarked.

He declared that matka can be stopped provided the society
supports the government's line of action which he said will be
implemented shortly by the police.

Breaking his stoic silence over the issue while speaking to
Gomantak Times yesterday, the chief minister admitted that
'matka' has percolated to all levels in society, including
government officials, policemen, the educated and elite,
and even women, besides public in general.

Speaking at length about the history and present status of matka
he stressed that matka has thrived because people contribute to
this form of gambling and the police conveniently refrain from their
duties in booking the guilty.

The chief minister also admitted that he is aware of the large amount
of money which gets circulated to various police stations in the form
of 'haftas' from matka dons.

However, he stressed he is not aware about 'who takes how much,'
and urged the people to come forward boldly with such information.

He lamented that no police officer as yet could give him a concrete
assurance stating that matka will be stopped.
"You ask them and they will have the standard reply there is no matka
in my jurisdiction." Parrikar categorically stated that he has never taken
a single paise of the booty which gets paid on account of overlooking matka.

Expressing his hatred to the gambling game, the chief minister said,
"I have never purchased even a lottery ticket in my life."

Revealing the stand of his government, the chief minister said that his
cabinet colleagues are in favour of initiating strict action against all those
who were involved in the numbers game, irrespective of the status,
hierarchy and the political patronage of the persons.

Many a strategies will be worked out in the cabinet meeting
which will be held shortly, he informed.

Strongly refuting the charge that some of his cabinet colleagues were
not only favouring the game but also involved in the menace, he said,
"No one from my cabinet is involved in matka. However, I can vouch
only for my cabinet colleagues and not for their friends or relatives,"
he remarked.

Stating that the gambling game had begun right from the
'Mahabharata' times, he opined that gambling is a tendency
within the people who prefer to make a fast buck.

"How can matka thrive without players?" he questioned.

Criticising the society's attitude in accepting matka
as another form of lottery, Parrikar regretted that
'the conscience and moral keepers of society'
had not waged a war against the evil.

Referring to the tremendous change in lifestyles and moral values
of a sizable section of society, Parrikar said it is unfortunate
that people fall prey to making easy money by playing matka.

Relating the increase in the gambling dens to the indiscriminate
liquor licensing policy followed by the Congress government
during the past about two decades, he said that consumption
of liquor and gambling were inter-related.

Parrikar denied that matka had flourished during his tenure
as the chief minister. He stated that matka was existing on
a large scale in the state for the past many years.

The chief minister expressed his earnest desire to deal
with matka with an iron hand by stating that he expects
active co-operation of people, NGOs, social organizations
and clubs in strengthening the hands of the government.

Expressing his personal opinion about the strategy to deal
with matka, the chief minister opined that a blanket ban
will not help in reducing or curbing the gambling tendency
in people.

Citing the example of USA, he said that many a bans
by the government there had miserably failed. He also
referred to the example of former Deputy Chief Minister of
Maharashtra Gopinath Munde who had succeeded
for about a year in keeping the evil of matka at bay.

The real problem according to Parrikar is sustaining
the measures which are to be implemented over a long
period of time. "We have to work out a strategy in a phased
manner by tightening vigilance, increasing fines and
involving participation of the people opposing matka" he said.
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Gomantak Times 19/11/02 page 1
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What's On In Goa (WOIG): 
Nov 06 Children's book exhibn opens, Walkabout, Anjuna... (all weekdays)
Nov 06 ArtHouse, Calangute: Chaitali's acrylics on canvas till 19.11
Nov 07 Revision of electoral rolls (till Nov 30) See schedule.
Dec 01 Two day conference, Goa Agenda. IT For Society. (Ends 2.12) 
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