Rahul’s MIG similar to garibi hatao: Rajiv Kumar

India neither had the kind of fiscal space, nor the kind of complete data needed to implement the scheme

— RAJIV KUMAR NITI Aayog Vice Chairman

Terming Congress President Rahul Gandhis promise of a minimum income guarantee to poor unimplementable, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar says it is similar in nature to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis 'garibi hatao slogan.

He says India neither had the kind of fiscal space, nor the kind of complete data needed to implement the scheme.

Kumar also opposed the idea of Universal Basic Income, often advocated by former Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian, saying he favoured incentives for population to work.

The NITI Aayog Vice Chairman said the Congress needed to explain to the country how it can afford a scheme like minimum income guarantee.

"I don't think it is practical. I think it is more rhetorical. It is similar in nature to 'garibi hatao'. And I don't think its implementation will be feasible. We neither have that kind of fiscal space, nor that kind of complete data that you need were you to be able to implement it," Kumar told IANS in an interview.

"This is why, I think, the Congress has left all details completely unclear and have only made a broad announcement," he added.

Former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has, however, said that the broad contours of the scheme justifying its implementability would be explained in the Congress manifesto.

Rejecting the idea of Universal Basic Income for Indians, Kumar said: "I have not been a supporter of the scheme. For India's per capita income and its demographic profile, I would much rather have incentives for work rather than incentives for being in on social security."