After lending support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of demonetisation, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar faltered in his confidence.
Kumar said pushing for a cashless economy across the country was not conducive and asserted that it was the appropriate moment to clamp down on ‘benami’ properties as “demonetisation alone will not help in curbing black money menace in India.”
“The world is slowly moving towards cashless economy, but it is not possible completely in India. Our social environment and behavioural patterns is such that cash transactions will always be a part of day-to-day trade. I don't think it will be possible to fully implement it,” Nitish said at the launch of his ‘Lok Samvad’ programme in Patna.
He added that if the Prime Minister wants to remove black money and corruption, he must target ‘benami’ properties and enforce prohibition across the country. He argued that bootleggers are behind several fraudulent activities.
He also refused to comment on TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's oblique remark of “gaddar” (traitor) for his support to demonetisation.
Kumar questioned the BJP's silence on the issue of "large-scale purchase of land" in the state ahead of demonetisation and said if the matter comes before his government, it will act on it.
The JD(U) has raised the question of large-scale purchase of land by BJP in Bihar ahead of demonetisation for opening offices... BJP should answer from where they got this much of money for the purpose.
(With inputs from PTI)
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