Malngiang demands scrapping of Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act and Rules 2021

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 14, 2022

Nongkrem legislator and Adviser to the Chief Minister, Lambor Malngiang on Wednesday urged the state government to scrap the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act and Rules 2021 and to cancel all licenses for setting up of casinos in the state.

In a letter to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Malngiang said, “Hence in the greater interest of the public, I request you to kindly repeal, abolish and scrap the “Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act, 2021”, the “Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Rules, 2021”, and to cancel all licence for setting up of Casinos in the State of Meghalaya.”

He said this Act, Rule and the grant of licence for setting up of Casinos are against the public sentiments and is looked upon as a step that iniquity will abound in state of Meghalaya.

“As a public representative, I understand the feelings and sentiments of the people at large and that the public opinion is gaining momentum against the aforementioned Act, Rule and granting of licence for setting up of casinos in the state of Meghalaya. The people of our State expected the Executive to act as good stewards in its formulation of good Public policies and as well as it should take of utmost care of the public sentiments,” he said adding “Now, with the “Gaming” is made legalized in the state of Meghalaya, the public are extremely sadden and unhappy with this Public Policy of the Government right from the family, the Clans, the Locality and village administration in the Urban and Rural areas, the Community, the elders, the women, the youth and different religious bodies. This has spoilt the good relationship between the public and the government.”

He said that the state will be ruined and innocent people of the state will be tempted and will fall into the trap of gambling addiction which will seriously have a negative effects on the loss of jobs, failure in relationships at home and with the neighbours and as well as they are likely to fall into severe debt. Furthermore, it will cause mental health problems, depression and anxiety.

He also referred to the Opium Law initiated by the (Late) Rev. J.J.M. Nichols Roy that was passed in the Assam Legislative Council in 1927 to prevent sale of opium which had cleanse the used of this dangerous intoxicant in the province of Assam at the time. “In the same way we should prevent gambling addiction of the people by strengthening and give more power to the “Meghalaya Prevention of Gambling Act, 1970,” he said.