Shimla, Aug. 28 -- The The decision of the ruling Congress to reintroduce lotteries is more dangerous than drugs, leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said on Thursday, as the BJP and the ruling Congress continued to trade barbs over the issue. The state government has decided to introduce lotteries, including a Diwali bumper draw, after a gap of 27 years to tide over fiscal challenges. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu defended the decision, saying, "Buying a lottery ticket will be voluntary. No one will be compelled to participate. A lottery is purely a game of chance." He also assured that the government would consider the issues raised by the Opposition in its representations. Former chief minister and leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur said, "Once addicted to the lottery, a person often fails to realise the extent of the financial damage he or she is incurring. Like 'chitta' (heroin) and other narcotics, lottery can lead people towards ruin." Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan clarified that the state is not introducing a single-line or single-digit lottery that operates on a daily basis. He stated that comprehensive rules and norms have been formulated, and the government expects to generate initial annual revenue of approximately Rs.10 crore through it....