28 January 2019•Update: 28 January 2019
By Riyaz ul Khaliq
ANKARA
India's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday promised minimum income to the poor if his party comes to power in the upcoming general elections.
"The poor will get a minimum income directly into their bank. This scheme will be first of its kind in the world," the head of the Indian National Congress party said addressing a rally in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh, according to Times of India.
The Congress party which has ruled India for half of its post-independence era was voted out in the 2014 general elections and replaced by right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The party has found renewed support in farmers and Dalits who have led mass anti-government protests across major cities of India.
The scheme, Gandhi announced, is like the social security system in the U.S., broadcaster NDTV reported.
The announcement, which many as surprising, comes days ahead of President Narendra Modi-led government’s “populist budget”.
Media reports state that the government is considering a new scheme that would see cash transfers to farmers as a sort of monthly income support.
The opposition has criticized the government for big businessmen and ignoring the poor.
