Shillong, March 15: Over 250 cases of illegal sale of teer tickets were detected during the last six years even the state government has been recommended to take action against officers who failed to levy penalty on bookmakers/organizers, who violated the provisions of the Act.
This was revealed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its report on state revenue for the year ended March 31, 2023 tabled in the just concluded Assembly’s budget session.
“During the years 2017-18 to 2021-22, 250 cases of illegal sale of teer tickets were detected during inspection in the jurisdiction of the eight selected ST offices,” the report said.
“Audit did not find any record to indicate any action being initiated to levy penalty from unauthorised bookmakers identified. Non-imposition of penalty by way of compensation for offence resulted in non-realisation of penalty amounting to ₹ 12.50 lakh,” it added.
The Department stated that illegal teer counters were advised to regularise by getting themselves registered under the MRGAS&STT Act, 2018.
The CAG however said that the reply is not tenable since Section 13 (1) of the MRGAS&STT Act, 2018, explicitly penalises unauthorised sell of teer tickets.
“Moreover, it reveals a deficient monitoring and enforcement system within the Department, compromising the effective enforcement of MRGAS&STT Act and Rules. This inadequacy undermines the legislative intent and compromises public trust,” it observed while asserting that strengthening the enforcement mechanisms is imperative to uphold the integrity of the regulatory framework and ensure stringent action against illicit activities such as unauthorised teer ticket sales.
Meanwhile, the CAG has recommended that the penal provisions for violation of the prescribed rules by the bookmakers and organisers may be enforced as per Act/Rules.
Responsibility may also be fixed on officers who failed to levy penalty on bookmakers/organisers who violated the provisions of the Act/Rules, it added.
