In a big-bang poll promise, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday announced that Rs 72,000 per year will be given as minimum income to poor families, benefiting around 25 crore people, if his party is voted to power in Lok Sabha polls, and asserted it will be the “final assault” on poverty.
Addressing a press conference here, Gandhi said 20 per centor five crore families belonging to the poorest category with monthly incomeless than Rs 12,000 would come underthe scheme.
The scheme comes as a sequel to the minimum income guaranteescheme announced by Gandhi a few days ago, while campaigning at a poll rally.The scheme is a major poll promise made by the Congress in a bid to woo poorvoters with an aim to improve the party’s prospects in Lok Sabha polls.
Gandhi said familieswhich are earning less than Rs 12,000 a month will get the remaining amount toprovide minimum income to them. He said each family will get up to a maximum ofRs 72,000 per annum.
“The Congress party guarantees that 20 per centfamilies belonging to poorest of the poor category in India will be given Rs72,000 each annually, to help provide them minimum income of Rs 12,000 permonth,” Gandhi said, adding that details of the scheme would be unveiledin the coming few days.