Shimla, Aug. 27 -- Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday opposed the proposed revival of the lottery system in the state, warning that it could fuel addiction, cause financial distress and push vulnerable people towards suicide.

Speaking to reporters in Shimla and later to ANI, Thakur said the state government's argument that people would buy lottery tickets voluntarily did not address the wider social consequences of gambling.

"If the government wants to increase revenue, it should find other ways. Lottery should not be used at the cost of ruining the future of the younger generation and destroying families," he said.

Thakur said the issue had previously been conside...