In a move that has surprised the Narendra Modi government, which is supposed to announce the Universal Basic Income (UBI) scheme in the upcoming 2019 interim budget, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that his party will bring Minimum Income Guarantee for all the poor of the country if it formed the government at the centre.

The announcement comes four days ahead of the interim budget to be presented by the Narendra Modi government before the Lok Sabha polls due before June this year.

It also follows the NDA government's decision to give 10 per cent quota to the economically backward section in the general category and a likely announcement of a relief package for farmers grappling with falling prices of their crops and to tackle distress in the farm sector.

We cannot build a new India while millions of our brothers & sisters suffer the scourge of poverty.

If voted to power in 2019, the Congress is committed to a Minimum Income Guarantee for every poor person, to help eradicate poverty & hunger.This is our vision & our promise.— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 28, 2019

"We have now taken a step that no government has taken before. We have decided to give every poor person a Minimum Income Guarantee when we form the government. This is a historic step taken to eradicate hunger and poverty,” said Rahul Gandhi while addressing a farmers’ rally in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur.

Speaking at the 'Kisaan Abhaar Sammelan' held in Raipur to express gratitude to Chhattisgarh's people for voting Congress to power in the state after a gap of 15 years, he attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP government for not waiving off the farmers loans.

Joining Gandhi, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram termed Minimum Income Guarantee as historic and a turning point in the lives of the poor.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi's announcement at the farmers' rally in Chhattisgarh is historic and will mark a turning point in the lives of the poor.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 28, 2019

Chidambaram said Congress will find the resources to implement the promise of Gandhi as 140 million people were lifted out of poverty between 2004 and 2014, when the party was in the power at the centre.

140 million people were lifted out of poverty between 2004 and 2014. Now we should make a determined effort to wipe out poverty in India.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 28, 2019

Chief economic advisor (CEA) Arvind Subramanian in the Economic Survey 2016-17 had mooted the idea of UBI or a uniform stipend paid to every adult and child, poor or rich.

UBI will guarantee all citizens enough income to cover their basic needs and would be easier to administer than the current anti-poverty schemes, which are plagued by waste, corruption and abuse.

First Published:Jan 28, 2019 5:45 PM IST