Mumbai: As the oldest online skill gaming industry body, the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has been at the forefront of ensuring global best practices for its stakeholders through self-regulation under its ‘Skill Games Charter’ that cover all aspects of online gaming business. To reinforce its self-regulation process, AIGF has now announced the induction of former senior bureaucrat, Dr Sutanu Behuria, as President of Policy & Planning, Rummy Chapter. The Rummy Chapter has the singular objective of ensuring growth for the industry, while monitoring operational transparency and adherence to the strictest possible norms and protocols.
Behuria has assumed duty in this latest positional advancement of his long and glittering career.
A Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS officer of the 1976 batch, Behuria has played an intrinsic role in remolding India’s policy programs, infrastructure, IT and online transactions structure. He has advised on regulation, strategies and continues to reshape fast-emerging industry segments through their gestation and formative years. He has also served as Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs and at the National Disaster Management Authority, the Ministry of Home Affairs. He was also Secretary in the Department of Fertilizers and Department of Heavy industries. Earlier, he has been Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Sports.
Roland Landers, Chief Executive Officer of AIGF, said: “We are delighted to have a person of Dr Sutanu Behuria’s illustrious track record help us shape the interests of the nearly 400 companies operating in the country’s Online Gaming space, enhancing the growth of this booming sector and ensuring our 350 million online gamers have a transparent and enjoyable experience. I am thrilled that Sutanu will help us shape the path ahead to ensure that the industry’s growth is maintained and accelerated. The transactional online gaming industry has grown to US $1 billion annually. Sutanu will help provide industry impetus and bring in greater clarity on policy and legislation.”
Speaking on his new role, Behuria said: “This assignment is challenging, yet exciting. The Online Gaming industry is outstripping most other sections of our economy, growing at 30 per cent annually and contributing significantly to tax revenues. Sure, there are complex policy issues here and I hope to be a contributor to this process. That being said, players and companies similarly need a safe and enriching experience, in order to realize their need for growth. I look forward to being part of AIGF’s Advisory Panel, and I believe that their Charter will catalyze inclusive growth. Monitored stringently, this will lead to an accelerated expansion in a new-age industry and provide healthy revenues to the authorities as well.”
The All‐India Gaming Federation plans to induct other such industry experts into its fold and similar announcements can be expected soon. Recently, AIGF announced the appointment of Mr PK Misra, another senior former bureaucrat, as the President of its Players’ Association (AIGF Advisory). These high-level inductions will only ensure growth and policy transparency, in keeping with AIGF’s stated objective.
