Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday clarified that his government has no plans to ban khaini (processed tobacco product) now.
Mr. Kumar also asserted that there were no differences in NDA in Bihar. “As of now the government has no plan to ban khaini…it’s a long term process and we’re mulling over alternatives for farmers engaged in khaini production in the state,” Mr. Kumar said while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of weekly Lok Samvad programme.
Earlier, the Bihar government had mulled the ban of sale and consumption of khaini in the state, Consumption of khaini was found as one of the major causes of mouth cancer in the state.
Mr. Kumar, though, further said that the government was planning on making an amendment in the state’s prohibition and excise law. “I’ve cleared each and every query on prohibition in the state but still some people keep writing over it…but let me clear here that people at large are satisfied with it,” he stated.
“We need to make an amendment in the law as certain points have come to my notice, like to create alternative livelihoods for those who were earlier engaged in this business,” said Mr. Kumar.
He also stated that there were no differences in NDA in Bihar and said, “It was all speculations in media and social media. Everyone is working smoothly,” he said.