NEW DELHI: Today, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi announced a promise that to be the party's big pitch in the coming general election. He promised about a guaranteed minimum income for the poor across the country, much like the system of social security in the US. The Congress announcement comes as the government is reportedly considering a populist new scheme that would see cash transfer to farmers instead of subsidies as a sort of monthly income support. The idea also takes forward the MNREGA, the UPA government's flagship rural employment guarantee scheme that ensured 100 days' job to every person.

Rahul Gandhi said at a farmers' rally in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur this evening that  "The Congress has decided to take a historic decision... If voted to power in 2019, the Congress-led government is going to give minimum income guarantee," He further added "This means, each poor person in India will have a minimum income. This means there will be no hungry, poor people in India,".

We should know that the idea of a universal basic income for the poor is gaining traction in wealthier countries such as Finland and France. But there have been questions on how the Congress proposes to fund it. A report saying that Diverting funds from subsidy programmes would provide enough funds.

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Congress chief tweeted that "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,". While whose party was targeted by the BJP for focusing on welfare measures instead of economic growth during its decade in power.

However, the weeks before it had seen Mr Gandhi, left out of the Mayawati-Akhilesh Yadav alliance in Uttar Pradesh, declare that the party will contest all 80 seats in the state.

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