India pledges support to overcome poverty in SAARC region

THIMPU: India today pledged to continue its unwavering support to combat challenge of endemic poverty in the SAARC region, asserting that all the member countries of the bloc should develop and progress collectively.

In his address at the fourth meeting of SAARC Ministers on Poverty Alleviation here, Minister of State of Rural Development Sudarshan Bhagat said India will was ready to extend all possible assistance to any regional endeavours to remove the "scourge".

"It is our firm belief that the member countries will not only overcome the endemic poverty in the region but will in the coming years develop the capacity to address all problems relating to poverty.

"India will continue to support all regional endeavours for removing this scourge from our midst as soon as possible," he said, articulating India's position on dealing with the challenge.

Noting that concerted efforts were required to combat poverty, Bhagat said it has been India's belief that the region should develop and progress collectively and elaborated on various programmes and policies of the Indian government to deal with the problem.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was strongly committed to end poverty and that he believed the first claim on development belongs to the poor.

"After 67 years of our Independence, India has metamorphosed from an under developed economy into an emergent global nation with one of the world's largest economies. Today, our aspirations have soared and now we seek elimination, rather than alleviation of poverty," said Bhagat.

He said the NITI Aayog has been entrusted with the task of fulfilling the aspirations of the people by providing a critical directional and strategic input into the development process.

"Poverty elimination remains one of the most important metrics by which alone we should measure our success as a nation. Every Indian must be given an opportunity to live a life of dignity and self respect," Bhagat said, adding the economy was now regaining its momentum towards a higher growth trajectory.
Listing various efforts of the Modi government, Bhagat elaborated on schemes like Rural Housing and initiatives to connect the unconnected habitations through roads and tele-communication.

"The new Government is continuing with the existing programmes but with a different approach enshrined in its mission of 'Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas (Everybody together in development of All)'. The focus is now to empower the vulnerable sections to pull themselves out of poverty and live a life of dignity and self-respect.

"Skill India mission is a major step in this direction. To ensure that growth is inclusive with increased livelihood opportunities for poor," the Minister said.

Holding that financial inclusion is critical to poverty elimination, he also talked about the ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) to provide access to banking to the poor. He said till July 15, about 16.92 crore bank accounts have been opened under the scheme.

The Minister said a total of 35 schemes have been brought under Direct Benefit Transfer architecture and a total of Rs 46,294 crore have been released under the DBT till March 31 out of which Rs 12,186 crore were transferred through Aadhar linked payment bridge.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an economic and geopolitical organisation of eight countries that are located in South Asia.

The member states are India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.