Gambling, a thriving trade

K Veerabhadra Rao / TNN / Feb 28, 2008, 02:28 IST

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Matka is the most tempting gambling mode in Rayalaseema region and the organisers have direct links with gambling company owners in Mumbai.

Matka is the most tempting gambling mode in Rayalaseema region and the organisers have direct links with gambling company owners in Mumbai.
Matka is the most tempting gambling mode in Rayalaseema region and the organisers have direct links with gambling company owners in Mumbai.
Matka is the most tempting gambling mode in Rayalaseema region and the organisers have direct links with gambling company owners in Mumbai.
PULIVENDULA: Notwithstanding the ongoing largescale developmental activities in Pulivendula, the home town of chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, the town has also become an 'adda' for matka and mangatai �� the two varieties of gambling �� where the business runs into lakhs of rupees every day as thousands of locals bet anywhere between Rs 50 and Rs 100. Sometimes it goes up to Rs 500-Rs 1,000 as gambling dens are flourishing in this area.

Matka is the most tempting gambling mode in Rayalaseema region and the organisers have direct links with gambling company owners in Mumbai.
However, Pulivendula became a hub for the gambling activity and slowly spread its tentacles to almost all the villages in the area even as police remain mute spectators to the goings-on.
The matka and mangatai gangs pay monthly 'mamools' (share) to the local leaders and police officers. Sources say that even a daily wage labourer gets about Rs 100-Rs 150 a day by gambling. "The gambling organisers make a fast buck by luring the locals. All sections of people, including some officials, are involved in this trade," a source said.

According to sources, about Rs 15-20 lakh is being bet in the gambling every day in Pulivendula town and surrounding villages. Organisers from neighbouring Kadiri and Tadipatri in Anantapur district manage through local 'beaters' (who collect money and gambling numbers from the people).
Villages like Parnapalli, Lopatnuthala, Palem, Ambakapalli of Lingala mandal, Pulivendula and Vempalle are notorious for matka playing. Sources said a Congress leader, holding a nominated post, is one of the main supporters of the gamblers since he gets paid his moolah regularly.
A police officer, who has been working in the area for the last several years, also receives his monthly mamool, a local said."The officer should have been transferred long ago but managed to stay keep his post for about four years at one place since the gamblers lobby is very strong in this area," the local said.
Though district SP Y Nagi Reddy acted swiftly a few months ago and recommended for the district boycott ('bahishkarana') of 11 notorious matka beaters like Gajula Ramana, Mahabub Basha, Seshaiah and Achari of Pulivendula, the gambling trade continues to be in full swing.
A few months ago, Rs 5 lakh cash and 10 vehicles were recovered and about a dozen persons, including some leaders, were arrested while gambling at a citrus garden near Pulivendula town. However, these arrests have failed to stop the gambling activities in Pulivendula as they still go unabated in the region, the locals said.

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