Modi govt lifted 30 crore out of poverty, claims Shekhawat at Rajasthan event
Synopsis
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat claimed at a grassroots outreach event in Rajasthan's Dungarpur district that Modi government welfare schemes have lifted 30 crore people out of poverty — while Rajasthan's own BPL card surrender drive, where 80 lakh families reportedly gave up subsidies voluntarily, is being held up as a benchmark of social transformation.
Key Takeaways
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat claimed nearly 30 crore people have moved above the poverty line under the Modi government .
The Centre's free ration scheme reportedly benefits nearly 80 crore people and continues to date.
Around 80 lakh people in Rajasthan reportedly surrendered their BPL cards voluntarily under a state-led initiative.
The PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme provides ₹6,000 annually to farmers; Rajasthan has topped this up to ₹10,000 .
Shekhawat made the remarks at a Night Choupal event in Bhiluda village , Dungarpur district , on Friday night .
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday, 16 May claimed that the Narendra Modi government's welfare programmes have helped lift nearly 30 crore people above the poverty line, addressing a Night Choupal and village outreach event in Bhiluda village, Dungarpur district, Rajasthan. Shekhawat said families that once struggled with poverty are now living with dignity due to schemes introduced by the Centre.
Free Ration Scheme and Covid-19 Response
Recalling the Covid-19 pandemic, Shekhawat said Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured no poor person went hungry by launching a large-scale free ration distribution programme. He stated that free food grains were extended to nearly 80 crore people across the country under the scheme, a benefit he noted continues to this day.
Rajasthan's BPL Card Surrender Drive
Shekhawat praised the Rajasthan government led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, highlighting an initiative that urged financially stable families to voluntarily surrender their Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards. He claimed approximately 80 lakh people in Rajasthan gave up their BPL cards voluntarily, stating they no longer required government assistance and wished benefits to reach genuinely needy families. The minister described this as a reflection of positive social transformation under welfare-driven governance.
PM-Kisan and the Double-Engine Coordination
The Union Minister highlighted the Centre's PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, under which ₹6,000 is transferred directly into farmers' bank accounts annually. He added that the Rajasthan government has increased its share of the assistance to ₹10,000, calling it a model of effective coordination under what he termed the 'double-engine government' — a reference to the same party governing both the state and the Centre.
Focus on Youth and Employment
Shekhawat further said the Modi government remains committed to creating opportunities for young people through education, skill development, and healthcare initiatives. He argued that the country's future depends on equipping youth with quality training and stronger employment prospects. Notably, this event comes amid the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s continued outreach in Rajasthan, a state it recaptured in the 2023 assembly elections.
The claims around poverty reduction, while politically significant, are based on government data and ministerial assertions; independent assessments of poverty trends in India have at times used differing methodologies and baselines.
Point of View
But it rests on government-defined metrics that have historically been contested by independent economists and multilateral agencies using different poverty thresholds. The BPL card surrender story is more verifiable and arguably more interesting — 80 lakh families in a single state opting out of subsidies is a genuine data point on welfare saturation, though it could equally reflect administrative pressure or awareness gaps rather than pure prosperity. The 'double-engine government' framing is doing real political work here: it ties Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's relatively new administration to Modi's national welfare brand ahead of future electoral cycles. What is missing from the narrative is any independent audit of whether the 30-crore figure reflects sustained income improvement or a one-time crossing of a low baseline.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Gajendra Singh Shekhawat claim about poverty reduction under the Modi government?
Shekhawat claimed that nearly 30 crore people have moved above the poverty line due to welfare schemes introduced by the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He made these remarks at a Night Choupal event in Bhiluda village, Dungarpur district, Rajasthan, on 16 May.
What is the BPL card surrender initiative in Rajasthan?
The Rajasthan government urged financially stable families to voluntarily give up their Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards so that benefits could reach genuinely needy households. According to Shekhawat, around 80 lakh people in Rajasthan surrendered their BPL cards voluntarily.
How much do farmers receive under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme?
Under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, the Centre transfers ₹6,000 annually directly into farmers' bank accounts. The Rajasthan government has additionally increased its contribution, bringing the total assistance to ₹10,000 for eligible farmers in the state.
How many people benefit from the Centre's free ration scheme?
Shekhawat stated that the Centre's free food grain distribution programme covers nearly 80 crore people across India, a benefit he said was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic and continues to date.
Why is this event politically significant?
The Night Choupal outreach in Dungarpur is part of the BJP's grassroots engagement in Rajasthan, a state the party recaptured in the 2023 assembly elections. Shekhawat's remarks reinforce the 'double-engine government' narrative linking state and central BJP administrations ahead of future electoral cycles.
