Thackeray backs lottery sellers

Voicing the concern that about 40 lakh people would be rendered jobless as as result of the order, Thackeray lashed out at the state government, saying it didn8217;t have the right to snatch away jobs if it couldn8217;t provide any alternate means of earning.

He said the state government should provide jobs to the 40 lakh people before implementing the ban. He feared there would be a rise in crime in the state if so many people were robbed of their jobs.

Lottery sellers and agents expressed the same fears. But Thackeray8217;s statement has given them some hope. They are now confident that the state government would take their interest into consideration before implementing the ban.The manager of Prince Lottery Agency, Ketan Shah, said he was not aware of the ban.

quot;We have been given an understanding that the state government will change the structure of the lottery scheme. Plus, with Thackeray on our side, we don8217;t have to worry.quot;

Mohan Ganatra of Jalaram agency said wholesalers in Mumbai were planning to file an appeal in the Supreme Court. quot;We are contacting lawyers, and the decision will be taken in a day or two,quot; he said.