New Delhi: In a big poll promise that he described as a "groundbreaking" measure to end poverty, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Monday said 20 per cent families in poorest of the poor category will be given Rs 72,000 each annually as a minimum income.
Making the announcement at a press conference here, Gandhi said, "The time for change has come". Five crore families and 25 crore people will directly benefit from the scheme, he claimed, terming it is a "final assault" to eradicate poverty in the country.
"The final assault on poverty has begun. We will wipe out poverty from the country," he said.
"I promise that there will be justice for the poor. The Congress guarantees that 20 per cent families belonging to poorest of the poor category in India will be given Rs 72,000 each annually," he said.
The Congress chief termed it a "historic day", saying the Congress had launched its final assault on poverty on the day.
"5 crore of the poorest families in India, will receive Rs 72,000 Per Year. #NyayForIndia is our dream and our pledge. The time for change has come," he later said on Twitter.
Gandhi made the scheme public soon after discussing it at the meeting of the Congress Working Committee, which had met at the AICC headquarters to discuss and give final shape to the party's manifesto.
The Congress chief said the party has studied the fiscal implications of the scheme and has consulted renowned economists and experts before finalising it.
"This is a historic scheme which has not happened anywhere in the world. It is an extremely powerful, ground-breaking and well-thought through idea. We have consulted many economists on the scheme," he said.
"It will be a fiscally prudent scheme," he said, adding that if voted to power the Congress will identify such families who lived below the poverty mark.
Gandhi said the scheme is part of the party's plan to ensure minimum income guarantee to every person in the country.
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving money to the rich and not the poor, Gandhi alleged that poor people have suffered in the last five years and "we are going to provide justice to them".
"If Narendra Modi can give money to the rich people in the country, then Congress can give the poor this money," he said.
"Narendra Modi is creating two Indias in the country and we will not allow two Indias and will be only one India. There will be no two Indias," he said.
Asked where the money will come from and whether it will affect the economy, he claimed there is enough money in India and the Congress guarantees that 20 per cent poorest families will be given Rs 72,000 per year.
"The Congress guarantees that 20 per cent families belonging to the poorest category in India will be given Rs 72,000 each annually in their bank accounts.
"Remember that in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, I had promised that in 10 days farmers will be given a loan waiver. I am promising you today that justice will be done. Scheme will be on a phase basis. First a pilot project will be run then scheme will run," he said.
Gandhi claimed that everyday your money is being taken and "we will show you what is happening. We have been studying this for the last 4-5 months".
The Congress Working Committee (CWC) met on Monday to discuss and give a final shape to the party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Party leaders were also expected to discuss Rahul's probable candidature from a second seat in south India. However, Rahul Gandhi, who held a press conference soon after the CWC meet, only elaborated the minimum basic income guarantee scheme.
It was widely speculated that a confirmation on Rahul Gandhi's candidature from Wayanad will be made on Monday.
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