Congress leaders seek more info on MIGS as main poll plank

Hyderabad: The minimum income guarantee scheme (MIGS) promised by Congress could be a biggest hit during the ensuing Lok Sabha elections but the party failed to cash in it as the unique poll plank and now it is out of public discourse, which worries the party leaders.

On the other hand, while only few days are left to the polls, Telangana Congress leaders do not have a clear picture about the party's biggest promise. The leaders are not aware of the nitty-gritty of the programme and they may find themselves in confusion if questions are raised about the scheme.

Many leaders of the party are of the view that the AICC should announce the full details of the programme so that it could be taken into the people effectively in the State. They reminded that the campaign in Telangana ends on April 9 and they are left with just 25 days.

The All India Congress Committee is yet to announce the framework and implementation process of the scheme. The AICC may elaborate the programme in its manifesto to be released soon. During his visit to Telangana, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had unveiled the programme at the party workers' meeting in Hyderabad on March 9.

In his address, Rahul Gandhi had given the outlines of the programme. He said that the Congress, after forming the government at the Centre, would implement the minimum income scheme. He said that a minimum income level would be fixed and government would deposit the amount directly in the account of beneficiaries.

Those who get less income than the minimum income fixed by the government, would be identified as beneficiaries. The government would pay the rest of the amount if the income of the beneficiary is less than the fixed minimum income. However, the programme is yet to be popularised among the people as discussion on it has not begun. Congress leaders said that it is imperative for the party to make it popular among the people.

Party leaders said that the AICC must elaborate the minimum income it would fix so that it could be taken into the people. The implementation process should also be explained so that common man can understand it easily.

The questions like how many would benefit, whether self-employed would also get the benefit and other details should be explained, they emphasized. The Congress leaders claimed that the minimum income guarantee scheme would be an answer to the Rythu Bandhu of the TRS government and the Kisan Samman of NDA government. If the said scheme is popularised it would neutralise the effect of the RB and Kisan Samman programmes, they opined.