Telangana Govt to constitute SIT to ban online betting apps: CM Revanth

Hyderabad: The Telangana Government has decided to act tough on online betting apps and online rummy games, following a series of complaints against social media influencers and celebrities for allegedly promoting them.

“We will set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) either with CBCID or we will take a call after reviewing with the officials to eradicate the betting apps, online games like rummy and others in the state. There is also a need to revise the punishments imposed in such cases," said Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in the Assembly on Wednesday.

Revanth Reddy said that the supply of banned substances like gutka has increased. “The Congress government will not spare anyone directly or indirectly implicated in these instances. In recent days, those who advertised these apps were called to police stations and interrogated at various police stations. A permanent solution to this issue would not be found by questioning them or calling them to the police station. Strict action against individuals who are maintaining and marketing these programs is the only way to find a long-term solution," he said.

The chief minister stated that a decision was made to establish a SIT with complete authority to thoroughly examine the cases and take severe measures against those responsible. Additionally, these instances involve links to other states and nations, thus investigating them at the police station would be pointless.

"We want to communicate to the public the seriousness of the State government's investigation of the matter through the constitution of SIT. It is not as if this problem has been solved by investigating those who promoted it. We have decided to form a SIT and eradicate it completely. No matter what kind of involvement in online betting and crime, action will be taken," Revanth Reddy warned.

The previous government passed a bill prohibiting online gambling in 2015. "An Act was enacted, but nothing concrete has been to implement it strictly," he stated, emphasizing the need for harsher penalties for those implicated, since the current law only guarantees two years in prison. The Act would shortly be amended.

Revanth refutes opposition claims on law and order

Reacting to the remarks made by the Opposition on law and order issue in the state, the chief minister said that everyone knows how indifferent the previous government was when it came to law and order. For instance, the Disha rape-murder and the murder of the lawyer couple are examples of the negligence of the previous BRS government. “Even when a lawyer couple is killed on the street, no action is taken. No action was taken in the case of the murder of a six-year-old girl in Singareni Colony,” he said.

The chief minister further said that Telangana ranked fourth in terms of attacks on women during the previous government's tenure. "Even though the son of the BRS leader was involved in the Jubilee Hills pub case, they didn't care. The Opposition leaders are obstructing the investments that should come to the state by spreading misinformation about law and order.

They are spreading false propaganda that Telangana state has collapsed. Will the BRS leaders be happy if the state goes bankrupt? "Will you spread any false propaganda out of a lust for power? Have we compromised anywhere on law and order during this 15-month rule,” asked Revanth Reddy.

Revanth Reddy also stated that the State government would take a tough stance against cybercrimes and that it keeps a close eye on preventing them. Despite the fact that the matter falls within the purview of railways, the chief minister said the government took the appropriate actions and notified the police department to look into the recent rape attempt in the MMTS train.

Telangana is No.1 in price control

The chief minister also said that Telangana is number one in the country in price control. The state is at the top with 85 percent of its own tax collection. Why do you speak without knowing the facts?" In the past, Jana Reddy cooperated with the government as the opposition leader. Why not continue the tradition established by Jana Reddy,” Revanth Reddy asked the Opposition leaders.

On the by-elections, the chief minister said, “There will be no by-elections in Telangana. MLAs (Defected) need not to worry. The elections will come sometime in 2029. They won't come now as much as you want. Two top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party are competing and spreading a lot of bad publicity. The competition between the two is giving us a headache.”

"I am available to MLAs regardless of party affiliation. Even if the Gajwel MLA comes to me, I will cooperate wholeheartedly. Secunderabad MLA Padma Rao visited me, and he asked for some constituency work. I gave it on the spot. Even if the opposition MLAs come, I will get the work done," Revanth Reddy said.