Drunks Using Cards, Why Aren't You, Andhra Chief Minister Scolds Officers

There was a distinct lack of activity when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu asked for a show of hands on how many top government officials have begun using cards instead of cash.

"Not even 25 per cent of you are making cashless transactions. How will the country reform if you are like this? It will not," Mr Naidu scolded nearly 200 ministers and bureaucrats at the government's headquarter.

"That is the biggest challenge - Mindset. Your mindset has to change," the Chief Minister said, though he then exercised an odd example of the behavioral shift he's seeking.

"A drunkard's mind will not work if he doesn't drink by evening. That (drinking) gives him the kick, so he has learned to make cashless transactions," said Mr Naidu, highlighting that liquor shops have been quick adapters to the demonetization drive by adding point-of-sales or swipe machines to ensure they don't lose customers on account of the current cash crunch.

Mr Naidu's party is a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's coalition government; he has been appointed head of a committee with 13 members, including five other Chief Ministers tasked with promoting digital transactions across the country.