Nitish Kumar makes ‘khaini’ tax-free in Bihar

A GATS has revealed that every second adult in Bihar is addicted to khaini. About 63 percent of the men and 35 percent of women in Bihar consume it.

Zee Media Bureau

Patna: At a time when the central government is spending crores on anti-tobacco drive, Bihar government has decided to keep raw chewing tobacco (khaini) out of the tax net to help farmers who grow tobacco in the state. The decision to keep `khaini` free from tax was taken at a state cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Recently, a delegation of tobacco growers met Kumar with a demand to keep them away from tax payment, sources said. The decision has earned the Bihar CM huge criticism as a huge percentage of the state population is addicted to tobacco. A Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) has revealed that every second adult in Bihar is addicted to khaini. About 63 percent of the men and 35 percent of women in Bihar consume it.