Minister in-charge Taxation James K Sangma on Monday said he would soon convene a meeting with the church leaders to discuss the issue related to the setting up of casinos and implementation of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gambling Act (MRGA), 2021.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said that it is important for the state government to listen to any voice of concerns that comes from a group that represents the churches.
“I will be setting up a meeting to discuss this issue with them (church leaders) and to see how we can take things forward,” he said.
On October 7, the Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders Forum (KJCLF) had organized a special prayer meet “praying together for good” – to highlight the gravity of the government’s move to set up casinos in the state.
The decision was taken after the Forum had noted the lukewarm attitude of the Government authorities to the closure of the casino gambling industry and the repeal of the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Act 2021.
The Forum, while anticipating the evils and social costs which will result from these nefarious activities, have called upon leaders of different churches, organizations and institutions to support the movement for the closure of the casino gambling industry in the state.