Nitish for demonetisation, wants war on benami properties in Bihar

Chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday supported the Centre’s move to withdraw high denomination notes, while giving a call to unearth benami properties across Bihar.

Saying that the demonetisation drive was essential to end the scourge of fake notes and black money, Kumar said, “I am always for it. In fact, I also want a crackdown on ‘benami’ property. That should also come under scanner. Honest people like farmers, teachers and others work hard, but those dealing in black, enjoy life,” he said.

He added that genuine people should get their hard-earned money exchanged without much hassles.

Kumar was addressing a ‘Chetna Sabha’ at Watson School grounds in Madhubani during the second leg of his Nischay Yatra, a tour aimed at seeking feedback on the development taking place under his government’s seven-point initiative.

“Nobody can carry away anything he hoards after death, yet people try to make money for the next seven generations. There is no pocket in the shroud for money, yet people take bribe. I don’t know why they do it and how much money they want,” he said.

The chief minister’s statement is significant, as his grand alliance partners -- Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal -- have been critical of the Centre’s demonetisation plan.

During his yatra, Kumar also strongly batted for prohibition -- another pet initiative of his -- saying it had ushered in a silent social revolution which has helped restore happiness in many families and significantly brought down crime and accident rates.

“Statistics reveal that prohibition has led to 11% increase in sale of Sudha Milk and 16% increase in rasgulla and other milk products. Now families are spending on household products due to savings from liquor. The government tax revenue from furniture, readymade garments and plastic products has also increased, indicating that people are now spending on the right things more than before,” he added

Read | Sale of gulab jamun, rasgulla has gone up since Bihar liquor ban: Nitish Kumar

Kumar said, just as India cannot develop without Bihar’s progress, the state could not move ahead without Mithilanchal’s advancement.

“In the first year itself, the grand alliance government has delivered what it promised for we only promise what we can do. Work has got underway on all the seven resolves, starting off with 35% reservation to women in all kinds of government jobs and projects for tap water and toilets in all households. We also launched students’ credit card scheme on October 2 to provide up to Rs 4-lakh loan to students. There is another move for skilling youth,” he said.