Around 50 crore people came out of extreme poverty in India in last 10-12 years: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said around 50 crore people had overcome extreme poverty in India in the last 10-12 years, stressing that India is defeating poverty on the ground.

"Earlier, the fight against poverty was limited to slogans. Today, India is defeating poverty on the ground," he said after inaugurating Pune Metro Line 3 (Pink Line) via video conferencing.

Modi said his government has consistently focused on empowering the poor, enabling them to overcome poverty through confidence and opportunities.


Citing a recent World Bank report, the Prime Minister said: "Around 50 crore people had overcome extreme poverty in India in the last 10-12 years".

He said the country's economic growth and poverty reduction are interconnected, with increasing investments in infrastructure and welfare schemes improving people's lives and creating employment opportunities.

Modi recalled launching the Garib Kalyan Mela initiative during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, saying, "The programme focused on delivering welfare schemes directly to beneficiaries and encouraging them to overcome poverty".

Modi said the government's approach is based on empowering people rather than merely providing assistance.