Garibi Hatao II? Rahul vows Rs 6,000 a month for 'poorest of poor' Indians

New Delhi: In a historic move aimed at providing a minimum income guarantee to every poor, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday unveiled the contours of his ambitious poll promise which were aimed at eradicating poverty from the country. Dubbing it a 'final assault' to eradicate poverty, the Congress president announced that 20 per cent families in poorest of the poor category will be given Rs 72,000 each annually as a minimum income.

While making the announcement, Gandhi said that the time for change has come. "Five crore families and 25 crore people will directly benefit from the scheme", he claimed.

In a big poll promise that he described as a "groundbreaking" measure to end poverty, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said that 20 per cent families in the poorest of the poor category will be given Rs 72,000 each annually as a minimum income.

"The final assault on poverty has begun. We will wipe out poverty from the country. I promise that there will be justice for the poor. The Congress guarantees that 20 per cent families belonging to poorest of the poor category in India will be given Rs 72,000 each annually," he said.

Soon after announcing the historic move, the Congress president accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of giving money to the rich and not the poor. Gandhi alleged that poor people have suffered in the last five years and "we are going to provide justice to them".

"If Narendra Modi can give money to the rich people in the country, then Congress can give the poor this money," he said, adding that Narendra Modi is creating two Indias in the country and we will not allow two Indias and there will be only one India and not two.

Asked where the money will come from and whether it will affect the economy, he claimed that there is enough money in India and the Congress guarantees that 20 per cent poorest families will be given Rs 72,000 per year.

The Congress chief termed it a "historic day", saying the Congress had launched its final assault on poverty on the day. "Five crore of the poorest families in India will receive Rs 72,000 Per Year. #NyayForIndia is our dream and our pledge. The time for change has come," he later said on Twitter.