Lottery: Amount will be disbursed only after investigation by seven-member committee

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Lottery Department will investigate the complaint that the Onam Bumper Lottery prize worth 25 crores was sold in the black market in Tamilnadu. A seven-member special committee, including the joint director and finance officer, will investigate it.

As per law, Kerala Lottery cannot be sold in other states. Reasons for the prize winner to come to Kerala will also be checked. An inquiry will be made at the agency from which the prize winner has drawn the lottery and the documents produced will be verified. Even if there are no complaints, if the lottery prize is received by people from other states, the prize is handed over only after verification by this committee. This time the investigation will be strengthened in the event that a complaint has been received.

For out-of-state customers to claim prizes above Rs 1 lakh, the prize winner's name, address, pin code and signature must be entered on the back of the ticket. The photocopy of the ticket should be attested by the notary officer. After filling out the application form available from the government website and affixing two photographs of the awardee, the photograph should be signed by the notary officer following which the notary stamp and notary seal should be recorded on the application. The prize money receipt should be completed and notarized with the prize winner's signature affixed to the revenue stamp along with the prize winner's full address and phone number. Copy of Aadhaar, Pancard, and Bank Pass Book should also be provided in the same manner.