ECONOMY
Our Economic Policy
Economic justice is as important as political and social justice. Sound economic policies will ensure that India, a developing country, will attain the status of, first, a middle-income country and, then, a developed country.
The people of India are divided in economic terms. There is a small class of very rich, a substantial middle class, a large segment of people above the poverty line but not yet the middle class, and nearly 22 crore people who are poor.
Under a Congress government, the welfare of the poor will be the first charge on all government resources. It will be the Congress' endeavour to ensure that the 22 crore people below the poverty line are lifted above the line in the next 10 years; that they are able to enjoy the fruits of education, healthcare, housing, drinking water, sanitation, electricity and, above all, opportunities for jobs/work; and are made strong and self-reliant to compete with others who are higher on the economic ladder.
Key Implementation Commitments:
1. Mahalakshmi scheme - ₹1 lakh per year to every poor Indian family as an unconditional cash transfer
2. Universal free healthcare in public institutions
3. Free and compulsory education from Class I to Class XII
4. Right to Housing
5. Work and Employment:
- MGNREGA wage increase to ₹400 per day
- Urban employment program
- Fill government vacancies
- Support for MSMEs and self-employment
6. Basic Infrastructure:
- Clean drinking water
- Sanitation facilities
- Electricity access
- Housing program
Supporting Programs:
- Direct income support
- Skill development
- Job creation
- Educational opportunities
- Healthcare access
- Social security measures