Shameful that PM Modi opposed “world’s biggest anti-poverty scheme”, NYAY: Congress

A day after Congress President Rahul Gandhi announced a big-bang poverty alleviation scheme – Nyuntam Aay Yojana (NYAY), it’s chief spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala mounted a blistering attack on PM Modi and said, “it was shameful that the pro-rich Prime Minister Modi was opposing the world’s biggest anti-poverty scheme.”

Asking BJP and the PM to spell out their stand on the scheme, Congress spokesperson said they should tell people whether they support its proposal to give ₹72,000 annually to five crore poor families benefiting 25 crore people or not?

Saying that NYAY is not a “top-up scheme” Surjewala pointed out that it is a women-centric scheme whereby the money will go directly into the bank accounts of the woman member of a family.

Soon after the scheme was approved by the Congress Working Committee (CWC) – the highest decision-making body of the grand old party, Rahul Gandhi on Monday told the media about the scheme at the party headquarters in Delhi.

Surjewala also attacked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for dubbing the scheme as a “bluff announcement.” Jaitley without naming Congress said no other political party has “betrayed” India for more than seven decades in the name of poverty.

Surjewala also attacked government think-tank NITI Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar suggesting him to run the organisation from the BJP office and contest elections instead.

“Kumar has converted NITI AYOG into Rajneeti Ayog”, said Surjewala.

Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar on Monday said that Rahul Gandhi’s promise of providing ₹72,000 annually to five crore families will create strong incentives against work and burst fiscal discipline.

On the proposed scheme, the Congress spokesperson said, “...every poor family shall be rightfully entitled to ₹72,000 per annum. This will apply to both urban and rural poor families.”

“₹72,000 would be deposited directly in the bank accounts of the woman of the family. Modi Government's 'Economic Survey 2016-17’ accepted that India under the Congress had reduced poverty. Poverty which was at 70% during Independence has come down to just 22% in 2011-12. With the path-breaking NYAY scheme, Congress will now eradicate the remaining 20% poverty too,” said Surjewala.

He alleged that the prime minister “can happily waive” ₹3.17 lakh crore for a handful of crony friends but opposes the₹6,000-per month respite for the poor. “Because Modiji opposes anything and everything that is pro-poor, People will now do NYAY (justice) in coming elections,” he said.