Will give point-by-point analysis of note ban after December 30, says Nitish Kumar

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday said that demonetisation was not enough to root out black money and that he will come out with a "point-by-point" analysis of the note ban after December 30.

• "My stand has been very clear. Only demonetisation cannot root out black money. It should be coupled with a simultaneous attack on benami properties... land, real estate, gold and diamond and liquor ban to yield results."
• "I had supported demonetisation on November 9... But on November 16, I had highlighted the poor implementation of the move."
• "Dealing in cash is a habit of the common man. A cashless economy is not possible," he said and claimed that even in the US about 40-50 per cent of transactions are made in cash.

Talking about the Election Commission's proposal to bring an amendment to laws to make political parties reveal donations above Rs 2,000 from anonymous sources, he said,

• "It's good and an amendment should be made in laws."
• "Why only Rs 2,000 and above? Parties should reveal who has given even Re 1 or Rs 10 to it," Kumar said.

He, however, expressed doubt if the BJP-led NDA government would bring an amendment to this effect. The Election Commission has urged the government to amend laws to ban anonymous contributions of Rs 2,000 and above made to political parties so that flow of black money in polls could be checked. Replying to a question over the appointment of Bipin Rawat as the new Army chief superseding two seniors, Kumar said the Army and Judiciary should be kept out of any controversy. "I do not know much about it as I am busy with preparation of celebration of 350th Prakash Parva anniversary of Guru Govind Singh. But institutions like Army and judiciary should be kept out of any controversy," he said. The chief minister also favoured filling vacancies of judges for speedy delivery of justice. He was talking to reporters after the second "Lok Samvad" (dialogue with people) programme held in his Secretariat. In the programme, Kumar in the presence of ministers concerned and senior officials of the departments which have been earmarked date-wise, addresses grievances of the people. The Lok Samvad is organised on the first three Mondays of the month except if the date coincides with any festival or gazetted holiday. It could not be held on December 12 due to the holiday on 'Eid-e-Milad'.