Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused successive Congress governments of failing to improve the economic conditions of poor citizens, alleging that political figures accumulated wealth while poverty remained widespread.
Speaking at the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas programme in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, PM Modi argued that meaningful progress against poverty had become visible only in the recent period.
He backed his argument by referring to findings from a recently published World Bank report.
“Since Independence, there has been talk of removing poverty in India. Votes were sought in the name of removing poverty, but we all know the condition of poverty in the country. Those who raised the slogan of ‘Garibi Hatao’ themselves kept becoming richer,” he said.
PM Modi said poverty indicators had witnessed a substantial change in recent years. Citing the report, he stated: “500 million Indians had overcome extreme poverty in the 10-12 years before 2024.”
He further claimed that the proportion of people facing extreme poverty had declined from 27 per cent to below three per cent.
The Prime Minister called this a ‘major achievement’ acknowledged internationally and linked the progress to welfare programmes and measures supporting low-income households over the preceding 12 years.
Welfare Delivery and Financial Support
The Prime Minister said administrative reforms had improved the distribution of government assistance. He highlighted Direct Benefit Transfer as a mechanism that reduced leakages and helped transfer central funds directly to eligible recipients.
He also pointed to free foodgrain, healthcare assistance, permanent homes, household toilets, clean cooking fuel and insurance protection as initiatives that eased financial pressures on vulnerable families.
“These initiatives had helped households save money and provided support during difficult circumstances,” he said.
PM Modi said the government’s focus had moved beyond assurances towards delivering schemes intended to improve people’s everyday lives.
He made the remarks during celebrations marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“The country’s progress in reducing poverty, alongside its efforts to strengthen national unity and security, would help it move towards the goal of a developed India,” he said.
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