Black marketing in small amount is permissible: Jitan Ram

According to media reports, Jitan Ram encouraged small traders to indulge in black-marketing.

He said, “I am aware that small traders indulge in hoarding and black marketing of goods to make profit in order to sustain their families and educate their children.”

CM was quoted in media, “You please don't worry about your activities as the state government will not punish you for hoarding and black marketing on small scale."

He was speaking at a function organised by Bihar State Foodgrain Businessmen's Association.

CM also went on to say that hoarding and black marketing by the small traders have had no no impact on demand and supply of goods in market as the quantity of goods being hoarded by the traders was insignificant in volume.

The Jitan Ram’s statement has come at a time when the Centre has asked the state governments to crack down on hoarders and black-marketeers to rein in price rise and inflation in the country.

Political analysts say Chief Minister’s advocacy for black-marketing will not only stir a political debate but also will have an adverse effect on the society at large.

They say, people will indulge in petty cases, knowing that the State Government is behind them.

Secondly, it will also create problems for Sharad Yadav-Nitish Kumar led Janata Dal United (JDU) who got an upper hand ahead of BJP in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly by-polls.

Bihar’s former CM Nitish Kumar had picked Jitan Ram as his successor soon after the ruling party fared miserably in the general elections held this year.