Kerala: Government
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Finances
2023- 2024: Liquor, lottery
KP Saikiran TNN, Dec 25, 2024: The Times of India
Thiruvananthapuram : Alcohol and lottery ticket sales, Kerala’s two main revenue sources, together generated Rs 31,618.12 crore in financial year 2023-24, according to data furnished in the state assembly. This forms one-fourth of the total revenue of the state.
Revenue from alcohol sales amounted to Rs 19,088.86 crore, making it the larger of the two main sources. Income from lottery sales was recorded at Rs 12,529.26 crore.
These figures combined account for approximately 25.4% of state’s total income, highlighting their crucial role in the state’s financial ecosystem and providing essential funds for various public services and infrastructure projects. The state’s overall income for financial year 2023-24 is reported to be Rs 1,24,486.15 crore.
Additionally, there are concerns regarding unclaimed lottery prizes, with govt unable to specify how much revenue was generated from this source.
According to Central Lottery Rules 2010, govt is not required to compile or maintain records of funds received from lotteries where prizes were won but not claimed.
As a result, the exact amount collected from unclaimed prizes remains unknown, creating a gap in financial transparency. A small segment of lottery ticket purchasers often don’t check the results, leading to unclaimed prize money that effectively serves as an additional revenue stream for the state. This phenomenon raises questions about public awareness and engagement with the lottery system.
