20% poorest families will get Rs. 72,000/year, promises Rahul Gandhi
What's the story
On Monday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi announced that if his party comes to power in 2019, 20% of the poorest families will get Rs. 72,000 per year.
Announcing the decision to media, Rahul said the scheme will uplift nearly 25 crore people out of poverty.
Calling it a "powerful" idea, he added the amount would be directly transferred into their bank accounts.
Quote
Will ensure justice to poor: Rahul
"It is fiscally possible. We have been studying the scheme for four-five months. We committed to the MGNREGA, we delivered MGNREGA ... now we will ensure justice for the poor," said Rahul, and asked media if they were surprised.
Statement
The scheme will be called NYAY, announced Rahul
In a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rahul said people have suffered in the last five years. He added Congress' mission was to eradicate poverty from the country.
He claimed several economists were consulted for this "powerful, ground-breaking" scheme.
"The minimum income support proposal will be called 'NYAY'. The scheme will bring justice to the poor," he added.
Twitter Post
No country has a scheme like this: Rahul
Rahul Gandhi: 5 crore families and 25 crore people will directly benefit from this scheme. All calculations have been done. There is no such scheme anywhere else in the world https://t.co/bYmKhUvqZO
— ANI (@ANI) March 25, 2019
Looking back
When BJP announced money for farmers, Rahul slammed the party
It is important to note that in the interim budget of 2019 the BJP announced a similar scheme. Acting Finance Minister Piyush Goyal had announced downtrodden farmers will receive Rs. 6,000 per year.
Back then, Rahul led the attack on Centre and said the amount wouldn't help them.
Responding to Rahul, BJP leaders said the party was empowering farmers and not handing out freebies.
Scheme
Rahul's poll promise might adversely affect India's economy
At a time when Congress is eyeing a resurrection in polls, this scheme might help the party gain votes.
But the mega announcement could turn out to be devastating for the country's economy.
Giving Rs. 72,000 to poorest families (5 crore approximately), would mean Congress is willing to spend Rs 3.6 lac crore or 2% of GDP for the scheme.