Has Extreme Poverty in India Decreased from 21% to 5% Under PM Modi’s Leadership?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Extreme poverty rate in India has dropped to 5%.
- Over 26 crore people have risen above the poverty line.
- Government welfare schemes like PMGKAY provide free rations to 80 crore people.
- The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana offers subsidies for solar energy.
- The PM-KUSUM scheme supports farmers with solar-powered irrigation.
New Delhi, June 23 (NationPress) Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced on Monday that India has experienced a significant decline in extreme poverty under the stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As per the minister, the extreme poverty rate has plummeted from 21 percent to a mere 5 percent, with the government steadfastly dedicated to the complete eradication of poverty.
In a video posted on the social media platform X, the minister emphasized that 26 crore individuals have successfully risen above the poverty line.
“This is not merely a governmental assertion but is corroborated by findings from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and NITI Aayog,” he remarked during the inauguration of a new silo warehouse in Khagaria district of Bihar.
The minister reflected on how previous leaders proclaimed their intention to eliminate poverty, though their initiatives fell short.
“The calls to eradicate poverty were initially made by Jawaharlal Nehru, succeeded by Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and later Rahul Gandhi. Sadly, these remained mere slogans without substantial results throughout their tenures,” noted the Union Minister.
He expressed pride in the current government’s accomplishments, particularly in assisting the underprivileged through welfare initiatives.
“Today, I can state with pride that under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the extreme poverty rate has diminished from 21 percent to just 5 percent,” he added.
He also pointed out that more than 80 crore individuals are benefitting from free rations under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which exceeds the population of the European Union.
The minister discussed the introduction of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, aiding individuals in generating electricity at home and selling surplus power to the government.
“This scheme provides subsidies of up to Rs 78,000 to enhance the affordability of solar energy,” the Union Minister mentioned.
Additionally, he commended the PM-KUSUM scheme, which permits farmers to harness solar energy for daytime irrigation, thereby improving rural livelihoods.
The minister stated that this modern storage facility will mitigate post-harvest losses, enhance grain storage, and strengthen the agricultural supply chain.
He noted that the project aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision to modernize India's agricultural sector and double farmers’ incomes.