Congress president Rahul Gandhi
Dear Rahul Gandhi,
I could not vote in 2014 as my name went missing from the electoral list at the last moment. I had my voter identity card but was turned away as my name did not feature in the electoral list. This time I will ensure that I check my name in the list and then go to the polling station.
At the moment, I have not decided whom should I vote for. I am watching the election campaign and trying to weigh on who can deliver what? That's the reason I have written this letter. On Monday (March 25) you made a promise to this country. You promised to guarantee 20 per cent poor people of this country a minimum income guarantee through - NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana). Though I am not an eligible poor in a strict sense, I have a few questions. The questions, if answered, will help many in our country understand how you are going to implement - Nyay. Needless to say, it will help people like us decide on our vote.
Here's an understanding of your scheme. Please feel free to correct if I am wrong.
What NYAY promises:
- If Congress is voted to power, 20 per cent poorest of poor in India will get Rs. 72,000 per year
- The amount will be credited directly to their bank account
- Families will be entitled to Rs. 6000 per month
- Rahul's scheme promises to end poverty. Congress calls it "assault on poverty."
Congress President Rahul Gandhi talks to young girl during Lok Sabha Election 2019 campaign. 
Cost of Rahul's promised NYAY:
Experts believe the total cost of Rahul Gandhi's promise is Rs. 3,60,0000000000 (Rs. 3.6 lakh crore).
Here's how NYAY compares with country's other big-ticket schemes:
| Subsidies: Food, Fertilizers+Petrolium | Education | PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi | Health Budget |
| Rs. 3 Lakh crore | Rs. 94,000 Crore | Rs. 75,000 Crore |
Rs. 61,000 Crore |
(The numbers are based on govt data of FY 2018-19)
How NYAY compares with MNREGA:
| NYAY (Nyuntam Aay Yojana) |
MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) |
|
Expected to aid 250 million people Rs. 72,000/year
|
Has benefited 140 million people |
| For unskilled labour means employment of 172-338 days at minimum wage | Promises 100 days of work but has delivered 40-45 days on average |
|
NYAY offers no condition to work |
Income is conditional to getting work |
How will Rahul Gandhi implement it?
That is a million dollar question. Many experts believe that Nyuntam Aay Yojana is an ambitious scheme but it might end up being a hollow promise.
Two questions to Rahul Gandhi on NYAY:
Q1. There is no data on income of poor. How will the govt decide on who qualifies as poor?
Q2. Where will the Rs. 3.6 lakh crore come from?
I know this is an election season. With just 15 days to go for the first phase of voting in Lok Sabha election 2019, I do not expect an immediate response. However, since this is an open letter, my readers would be waiting for a response. If you read this, please send your thoughts.
Yours sincerely,
Himanshu Shekhar
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