Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 11 -- Kerala Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal has held discussions with trade union leaders representing lottery agents and sellers on the concerns arising from the steep hike in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on lottery tickets.
Representatives of various organisations of lottery sellers and agents pointed out that the sudden increase in GST could seriously hit the livelihoods of nearly two lakh people and their families who depend on the Kerala State Lottery system. Lottery Director Dr. Mithun Premraj was also present at the meeting.
Under the revised GST structure, paper lotteries conducted by the Kerala Government have been brought under the 40 per cent tax slab, the same rate applicable to gambling and casinos...