Thiruvanathapuram: As the lottery department impeded the move to sell house, Vattiyoorkavu natives Ajo and Anna are left with no choice to get out of the debt trap. On one side, they are threatened of confiscation of their property, while on the other side, they will be compelled to sell the house at a low price. 

When Mathrubhumi reported their plight on Monday, over a thousand people contacted the couple. However, they could not distribute the coupons printed for selling the house through a lucky draw, as the lottery department hindered the sales of coupons.  

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Lottery dept hinders couple’s move to sell house via lucky draw

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The family had decided to sell the house as they could not pay back the housing loan taken from the Jagathy branch of Kerala Bank. They were urged to sell the house following pressure from the bank officials. But all those who approached to buy the house offered lower than the market price.

The proposal to sell coupons worth Rs 2000 and to distribute the house to the lucky draw winner has been taken with the support of many, including the priest of Christurajapuram in Monnamoodu. Ajo, who was an accountant, had lost his job following an accident that claimed his eyesight. Anna also was deprived of job due to the pandemic. She was an engineer in Hong Kong.

Several people have raised protests against the action of the lottery department. They questioned why a family could not sell their house through lucky draw when the institutions are allowed to conduct similar events to dispense gifts. However, VK Prashant MLA responded that only the lottery department can conduct lucky draws and the rules to conduct chitties will not be applicable in the disbursal of houses. A letter has been handed over to the minister requesting to extend the maximum time period for the repayments. 

Lottery dept to take action against similar incidents

Kerala lottery department joint secretary Surendran informed that the department has sent notices to the district-level officers to take action against similar events in which properties were sold via coupons. 

According to IPC 294 A, selling coupons and conducting lucky draws by violating rules are offences that may lead to 6 months of imprisonment, fine or both.