The statement comes in the backdrop of the NDA-led Union government encouraging people to move towards digital payments
After unequivocally supporting the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs1,000 notes, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said a cashless economy was not possible across the country and reiterated that it was the right moment to hit on "Benami" properties as "demonetization 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, while addressing media persons post the launch of his "Lok Samvad" programme in Patna.
The statement comes in the backdrop of the NDA-led Union government encouraging people to move towards digital payments and has even formed a Centre's committee of CMs to form a roadmap for implementing the digital payments system in India. Nitish, however, is not a part of it, as had been expected earlier.
Nitish said that if PM Narendra Modi is serious about wiping out corruption and wants results, he needs to target "Benami" properties and enforce prohibition across India as a lot of fraudulent practices are adopted by liquor bootleggers. If he does that, people like me will rise above party and support him.
Nitish also questioned the saffron party's silence over BJP's land deals in Bihar ahead of demonetization and said his government will act on the matter if it comes before it.
The Bihar CM said the poor man is not complaining while facing problems in the cash queue because he feels the corrupt have been taken to task. "The common man is happy that money earned using unfair means holds no value now. Lekin agar corrupt ka paisa nahi dooba, to PM ko jawab dena hoga…" he said. Sources said he may be referring to the recent Income Tax Amendment bill which seeks to provide a window to black money hoarders by paying a levy of about 50% on the undisclosed income.
About 35 people directly interacted with Nitish in the Lok Samvad programme on Monday. He also cleared the air about the new initiative being similar to his popular Janata Darbars, which were started when he assumed office in 2006 and discontinued in May this year with the enforcement of Bihar Public Grievance Redressal Act. "While Janata Darbars were grievance redressal forum, Lok Samvad invites ideas from people for better governance," he said adding it till be held on the first three Mondays of every month, just like the Janata Darbars.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Nitish Kumar")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}