Online Gambling Row: Govt Decides To Wait For Assent

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Chennai: As the ordinance on online gambling lapsed on Sunday, Tamil Nadu government has decided to wait for governor R N Ravi to give his assent to the bill to replace it that has been passed by the state assembly.
Many political parties, however, slammed the governor for delaying assent as the state continues to report suicides over loss of money in online gambling. Dravidar Kazhagam leader K Veeramani announced an agitation near Raj Bhavan on December 1.
The government is watching developments and plans to send periodic reminders to Raj Bhavan for early assent. “We are waiting for his approval. There is no point sending another ordinance now as he has not shown readiness to approve the bill. If he sends it back, the government will take a call on the further course of action,” said an official.
In Pudukkottai, law minister S Regupathy said the government had clearly stated in the preamble of the bill that 95% of the population favoured ban on online gambling. The World Health Organisation had categorized gaming as a disorder and therefore it was the foremost duty for the government to eradicate the disease, he said.
The minister said there was no information from the governor after the government sent replies to the clarification sought by him. “There is no need for him to delay. If anything (suicides) happens from now on, I'll leave it up to you to decide who's responsible,” the minister said.
Expressing disappointment over the delay, Congress floor leader K Selvaperunthagai alleged that the governor failed to discharge his primary duty and should be recalled immediately.
PMK leader S Anbumani Ramadoss said the state had seen 33 suicides in the 15 months due to online gambling, but still it had not been banned. The governor should realize the danger it poses to the people of Tamil Nadu, he tweeted. AMMK chief TTV Dhinakaran said that governors giving assent without delay had been the tradition and the Supreme Court had condemned delays in the past. “The governor should remain careful in future. Acting without being criticized is what will make him look good,” he said. NTK leader Seeman lambasted the governor for acting against the elected set up.