Since talk began about a possible transfer of lotteries operated by CEF to its subsidiary Loterias CAIXA, the government has been bombarded by allegations that the measure could open space for a possible privatization of lottery operations.
One of the actions came from the government party itself, the Workers' Parties, through federal deputies Erika Kokay and Tadeu Veneri, who presented a request asking the Ministry of Finance for explanations about the transfer of lotteries.
To discuss the request for explanations, Request 9/2024 was forwarded to the Chamber's Administration and Public Service Commission (CASP), which immediately scheduled it for the next session, which takes place this Tuesday, 26. The request is the fourth agenda item.
In the application, the two parliamentarians remember that Caixa has been managing lotteries since the 1960s and ask: “what reason to transfer federal lotteries to a subsidiary?”.
To try to pressure the Minister Fernando Haddad, the deputies highlight that “the lotteries belong to the State, Caixa is only the Manager”. And they argue that “the current law establishes exclusive management of lotteries by Caixa,” questioning that “to change administration to another CNPJ (National Register of Legal Entities) wouldn't a change in the law be necessary?”.
Parliamentarians continue to question the minister whether studies were carried out for a possible transfer, the socioeconomic impacts and possible risks for society with the reduction in social investments.
The CASP, if it approves the continuation of the Request, must schedule a public hearing to hear a representative from the Ministry of Finance to be appointed by the Department.
So far, the Request 9/2024 has been restricted to the Ministry of Finance, but during the debates it may be suggested that a representative from the CEF lottery area or Loterias CAIXA itself be heard.
Source: GMB
