Pathankot, October 31
BJP leader Ashwani Sharma has said that the latest World Bank report on India’s poverty reduction is a strong testament to the transformative leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government’s commitment to the welfare of the poor. “BJP’s believes in ‘Antyodaya’ (upliftment of the last person) and we make sure that development reaches even the person standing at the last rung of the social ladder. From free foodgrains and financial assistance to housing, sanitation, electricity and healthcare, the Modi government has focused on delivering welfare benefits directly to the grassroots”, Sharma said.
Reacting to the report, Sharma said that nearly 49.6 crore people have moved above the lower-middle-income poverty line between 2011 and 2023, with India’s poverty rate declining sharply from 57.7 per cent to 16.1 per cent. Even more remarkable is the reduction in extreme poverty from 27.1 per cent to just 2.6 per cent during the same period.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Sharma said, “These figures are not merely statistics; they represent the improved lives, dignity and opportunities of crores of Indian families. Congress spent decades raising the slogan of Gareebi Hatao, but the BJP government, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has proved how poverty can actually be addressed through strong policies and effective implementation.”
Taking a further dig at the opposition, Sharma said Congress leaders are obsessed with targeting the Modi government and spreading allegations, while conveniently ignoring facts and achievements recognised by international institutions. “The report is a slap in the face of those who have spent decades exploiting the issue of poverty for political gains but failed to bring meaningful change in the lives of the poor”, he said.