Any organisation that conducts a raffle will first have to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Meghalaya State Lottery, according to guidelines published by the Sohra civil subdivision administration.
Holding raffles is a common practice for private for-profit and charitable events in the state.
The notification issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner in charge of the civil subdivision also made it clear that animal fights, with a specific mention of bull fights, are prohibited for fetes, carnivals, melas, fairs, festivals, etc under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960.
Before fetes, carnivals, melas, fairs, festivals, concerts, fishing competitions, sports and games events, etc can take place, organisers will need to file an application on the organisation’s letterhead, submit an NOC from the custodian of the venue where the event will be held and an NOC from the Commissioner of Taxes.
For any of the above events that also conduct a raffle, an NOC from the Meghalaya State Lottery will also be required.
For events connected to pujas, etc, the organisers will need to file an application on the organisation’s letterhead, submit an NOC from the custodian of the venue where the event will be held.
