‘Final assault on poverty has begun’, Rahul promises ₹72,000 per annum for poor

Outlining his vision for the Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme (MIGS), Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday announced that 20% families belonging to the poorest category will be given ₹72,000 each annually, if Congress voted to the power.

Terming it as the “world's largest welfare scheme till date” Congress president explained in a presser on Monday that by implementing MIGS, Congress has planned to deliver justice to the poor of the country. Though the Congress president has been mentioning the Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme, it was Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi who had formally proposed the scheme in the last CWC (Congress Working Committee) meet in Ahmedabad.

"Final assault on poverty has begun. We will wipe out poverty from the country," said Rahul Gandhi, adding 5 crore families and 25 crores people will directly benefit from the scheme.

When asked about the viability of the scheme, Congress president replied in affirmation, “We have studied the fiscal implications of the scheme and consulted renowned economists and experts before finalising it.”

“Scheme will be implemented phase wise all over the country. First, pilot project would be launched then the scheme will be implemented all across the states...If Modi can give money to 10-15 richest people of the country, Congress party can give money to the poor. The money will be directly transferred to their account,” added Rahul Gandhi.

"It is an extremely powerful, ground-breaking and well-thought through idea. We have consulted many economists on the scheme," he asserted.

Referring to the farm loan waiver announced by Congress governments in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, Rahul Gandhi said it is not acceptable for the Congress party to see that people are still living under poverty line in the 21st century.

"People have suffered in the last five years and we are going to give justice to them," concluded Rahul Gandhi.