The Joint Action Committee Against Casinos today expressed dissatisfaction with the assurance given by Taxation Minister James PK Sangma that he will push for the repeal of the controversial Regulation of Gaming Act 2021.
Yesterday, Sangma said that he would personally push to scrap the act, though that is, so far, not the government’s position. Instead, the JAC wants a notification in black and white promising that the legislation will be repealed.
The act brought in the possibility of casinos in Ri-Bhoi, with the government aiming to raise revenues through them, but they were strongly opposed in various quarters.
Speaking to reporters here today, JAC secretary Ferdynald Kharkamni said, “As long as the government has not issued a notification to repeal the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act 2021, the JAC will not listen to what he said to the media.”
The JAC will proceed with a signature campaign throughout Ri-Bhoi against the casino plan.