Proposal approved that maintains permission for more than 6 lottery outlets.
The Senate approved on Tuesday (29) a bill that validates the lottery agency permits extended by Caixa Econômica Federal in 1999. The Chamber Bill 143/2015, which deals with the activity and remuneration of the lottery permit holder, now goes to the President for sanction.
According to the text, all permits granted by Caixa up to October 15, 2013, are validated and will be automatically renewed for 20 years, as stipulated in Law 12.869/2013, known as the Lottery Law.
The proposal became necessary after the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) published ruling 925 in 2013, ordering Caixa Econômica Federal to hold a bidding process for the 6.310 lottery agencies involved in this extension in 1999. The court's justification was that it was necessary to unify the legal regime of lottery agencies. Since the enactment of Law 8.987 of 1995, bidding for the concession of lottery agencies has been required, but these agencies operated only through accreditation by Caixa Econômica Federal, a method adopted prior to the law.
According to the TCU (Brazilian Federal Court of Accounts), the Lottery Law — which provided for the automatic renewal of concessions — was enacted in 2013 and could not be retroactively applied to these permits.
The rapporteur for the matter in the Plenary, Senator Blairo Maggi (PR-MT), highlighted that the 2013 law should have settled the discussion about the concessions, but ended up turning Caixa Econômica into a "stepmother" by jeopardizing the livelihood of more than six thousand families.
"We are guaranteeing legal security to those who offer a huge range of services to the population, to those who go where the banks don't want to go," he emphasized.
Justice for lottery operators
During the discussion of the bill, which was unanimously approved, dozens of senators spoke, highlighting the importance of lottery outlets, especially in the interior of the country. The senators also recalled the difficulty of doing business in the country during times of crisis and that this should not be forgotten.
Opposition senators, such as the leader of the DEM party, Ronaldo Caiado (GO), and Aécio Neves (PSDB-MG), criticized the government's decision to accept the TCU's recommendation to suspend the permits. Caixa Econômica Federal was already preparing the bidding documents to replace these lottery outlets. The first bidding process was scheduled for the end of October, and the others were to be launched by 2018.
"To deprive these families of the means to continue working in the sector, given their investment and qualifications, would be, among many others, yet another nefarious act by this government. Today, the National Congress is giving an extremely positive response to those who have dedicated their lives to this activity and have guaranteed Caixa Econômica extraordinary revenue over the past few years," Aécio celebrated.
The PT leader in the House, Senator Humberto Costa (PE), countered the criticism of the government and stated that Caixa was merely complying with the TCU's determination. The senator added that the government supported the bill, which should be sanctioned soon.
"Contrary to what some members of the opposition have said here, it was not the federal government that issued a regulation to prevent the extension of the permits. It was an opinion from the Federal Court of Accounts itself, which even required Caixa Econômica Federal to carry out the bidding process. Conversation and dialogue are the best way to reach a solution that satisfies everyone, and the government also agrees with the approval of this measure," he assured.
Participatory democracy
Senator Paulo Rocha (PT-PA), identified by his colleagues as one of the key negotiators for the measure's approval, stated that the bill was only unanimously approved thanks to the commitment of the permit holders, who tirelessly fought alongside parliamentarians in favor of the measure. Due to pressure from the category, the PLC (Proposed Law) was granted urgent status and could be voted on quickly in the House.
— The way you mobilized to defend your interests, your rights, is what's called participatory democracy. Where the strength of the people's organization knocks on the doors of parliamentarians and ensures their rights — he praised. (Senate Agency – Photo: Ana Volpe)
