Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. (Source: PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. (Source: PTI)

Praising Modi government’s decision to demonetise high value currency, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said that the government should now attack benami properties and impose a nationwide ban on liquor. “Maximum corruption is in the liquor industry. Once you ban liquor, illegal activities will be hit and it will put an end to black money. I think it is the right time to impose ban on liquor nationwide and act against benami properties,” said Kumar during the HT summit.

The chief minister said that there is happiness in Bihar household ad liquor in the state has been banned. “Even in prime minister’s state Gujarat, liquor is banned. It means he believes that prohibition on liquor is a good step. Mahatam Gandhi also wanted the same,” said Kumar. He asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to also launch a crackdown on benami properties immediately and target black money hoarded in assets like gold and diamonds. “Currency forms a significant part of black money but total black money is much more than that. The country’s money has been laundered to overseas as well and that too should be brought back,” he said.

He also rubbished talks that his party was hobnobbing with the BJP saying these were rumours meant to confuse people. When being asked about the perception in political circles that there will soon be Nitish’s gharwapsi (homecoming) in NDA, the chief minister said “that makes for a good headline”. “I do not want to clarify anything. Jahan lagega ki corruption ke against approach sahi hai Centre ka, hum samarthan karengey. Jisko jo interprete karna hai karey.”

“As far as the Centre’s approach against corruption through demonetisation is concerned, I am in support of such a move. It is up to all of you how to interpret,” added Kumar.

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