The state government should drop the idea of introducing casinos into the state completely given the sheer amount of public opposition to the scheme, retired IAS officer Toki Blah has said.
Speaking to Highland Post, Blah maintained that democracy is of the people, by the people, for the people and if the voice of the majority is against something, the government must think twice.
“There were times when we had leadership in the government and a leadership that knew the best way,” he said. “But can we say that this government has the best interest for the people and that this casino is for the best interest of the people? If there is such unrest against the casino the government must listen but it seems that they are not ready to listen.”
The cons outweigh the pros for Blah, as the casinos will not only promote gambling but also all manner of other social ills.
Stating that for development we must focus on quality education, improving healthcare and lessening poverty, he said, “Here our politicians understand very well that the moment they give quality education to the people and lessen their poverty they will be voted out as people will not choose them anymore nor be willing to sell their votes. It is an intentional political policy to keep our people ignorant, uneducated and poor so that they can buy them.”
