After the media highlighted that Red Cross funds were being misused by the offices of deputy commissioners, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had issued clear-cut instructions that these should not be collected from the public, and a target has been fixed for every Suwidha centre, where a lottery counter would be opened.

Letters have been addressed to the deputy commissioners, with a subject line, “Sale of lottery tickets of Punjab State Lottery at MRP Rs 50”. Each centre is required to sell a fixed number of tickets before February 14, when the draw would be announced. The letter also mentioned that proper account of the sale of tickets will be maintained and the amount will be remitted to DC’s office either in cash or through cheque.

“Now common people will be forced to buy lotteries,” said a senior officer in Jalandhar District Administration.

Kapurthala DC JM Balamurugan said they would establish the lottery counter next week.