Congress slams Modi Govt after World Bank said extreme poverty in India declined, says inconvenient data brushed aside

The Congress party has launched a scathing critique of the Modi government following the World Bank's report indicating a decline in extreme poverty in India to 5.3%, based on a $3 per day poverty line. The opposition party argues that the government is quick to celebrate these findings while overlooking the broader implications of poverty that go beyond mere statistical reductions. According to Congress, the focus should be on ensuring a dignified life for all citizens, rather than settling for minimal benchmarks that do not capture the full scope of economic hardship. In its statement, Congress emphasized that the reliance on a $3 per day metric undermines the complexity of poverty in India, where a significant portion of the population still struggles with inadequate access to basic necessities such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. The party contends that such metrics fail to address the qualitative aspects of poverty, which include living conditions and social mobility, thus painting an incomplete picture of the nation's economic health. The Modi government, however, maintains that the World Bank's findings are indicative of successful policy measures aimed at lifting millions out of poverty. This includes initiatives in financial inclusion, rural development, and social welfare schemes. While the government views the report as a validation of its efforts, the Congress party insists that the administration must prioritize a more comprehensive strategy that goes beyond numerical achievements to foster true economic and social advancement for all citizens.

— Authored by Next24 Live