Earlier in August 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed NDA MPs from Uttar Pradesh and southern states at a cluster meeting in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. He then said: “Gareebi sabse badi jaati hai (Poverty is the greatest caste).” He repeated this sentence repeatedly, emphasizing one of the goals of the central government he leads – poverty alleviation.
On Thursday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented an interim budget with a special focus on the poor and how the Modi government is using technology to help many people escape poverty. She also emphasized that there was not just one program but many programs that focused on providing relief to people below the poverty line or aimed at alleviating poverty overall.
Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) is one such mechanism that has been a game-changer in reducing corrupt practices and the central government has publicly stated that it has saved Rs 270 crore. At least 250 million people have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty, she said. In 2013-14, a year before the Narendra Modi-led government came to power, it was 29.2% of the population; nearly a decade later, in 2022-23, it had dropped to 11.3% .
“Early approaches to tackling poverty through welfare had little effect,” said Sitharaman, who lashed out at the previous government and its free politics. When poor people become empowered partners in the development process, “the power of governments to help them is also multiplied,” she said.
Prime Minister SVA Nidhi, for example, has provided credit guarantee to 7.8 million street vendors so far. Fully funded by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, this central sector scheme aims to provide working capital loans up to Rs 10,000, incentivize regular repayments and reward digital transactions. It has made a difference for 7.8 million families and counting.
PM-Janman Yojana is another example. It concerns tribal groups who are particularly vulnerable. The finance minister referred to the program while talking about other “empowerment” measures. “PM Vishwakarma Yojana provides end-to-end support to artisans and artisans working in 18 industries. Schemes for transgender and transgender persons reflect our government’s unwavering resolve to leave no one behind,” she said.
For the “largest caste”, garabi (Poverty), the Prime Minister praised the budget as it addresses four key areas. “This interim budget is inclusive and innovative. It has the confidence of continuity and will strengthen all the four pillars of ‘Viksit Bharat’ – yuva, gareeb, mahila and kisan,” he said.
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