PM Modi said nearly 100 crore Indians are now covered by social security schemes, compared with fewer than 25 crore before 2014. Addressing National Unity Day in Gujarat, he highlighted welfare initiatives, direct benefit transfers and poverty reduction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said nearly 100 crore people across India are now covered by various social security measures, compared with fewer than 25 crore before 2014. He described the expansion of social protection as one of the major achievements of the country over the past 12 years, highlighting the government’s welfare initiatives and improved delivery of financial assistance to vulnerable sections of society.
Addressing the National Unity Day programme at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on the occasion of the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Modi said the expansion of social security coverage reflected the government’s commitment to improving the financial protection and living conditions of poor and disadvantaged households.
“Before 2014, not even 25 crore people in the country had a social security cover. Today, nearly 100 crore people have been brought under social security coverage,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi attributed this expansion to a series of welfare programmes and improvements in the delivery of government assistance. He particularly highlighted the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, which, according to him, has helped ensure that financial assistance released by the Centre reaches the intended beneficiaries without unnecessary intermediaries.
The Prime Minister said DBT had significantly reduced the possibility of leakages in welfare distribution and strengthened transparency in the implementation of government schemes. He emphasised that improved delivery mechanisms had enabled the government to extend benefits to a much larger section of the population.
Highlighting various welfare initiatives, Modi referred to free foodgrain distribution, healthcare services, permanent housing, toilet construction and access to clean cooking fuel. He said these measures had helped poor families reduce their expenditure on essential requirements and improve their overall quality of life.
He also highlighted the importance of insurance coverage, stating that financial protection through insurance schemes had provided support to millions of people during difficult circumstances and unexpected emergencies.
According to the Prime Minister, the government’s approach over the past 12 years had focused on the welfare and empowerment of disadvantaged communities rather than limiting its efforts to making promises about poverty eradication. He said the objective was to ensure that government assistance translated into tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives.
Earlier in his address, Modi referred to a recent World Bank report and claimed that approximately 500 million, or 50 crore, Indians had moved out of extreme poverty during the 10 to 12 years preceding 2024.
He further stated that the proportion of people living in extreme poverty had declined from 27 per cent to below three per cent. The Prime Minister presented these figures as evidence of the impact of welfare programmes, economic initiatives and improvements in the delivery of essential services.
Modi said the reduction in extreme poverty, combined with the expansion of social security coverage, demonstrated the importance of ensuring that development benefits reached people at the grassroots level.
The National Unity Day programme was organised at Ekta Nagar to commemorate the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, who played a significant role in the integration of princely states after independence.
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The occasion is observed annually to honour Patel’s contribution to national unity and integrity. Through his address, Modi highlighted social security, poverty reduction and inclusive development as important elements of India’s progress.
The Prime Minister’s remarks placed particular emphasis on expanding welfare coverage, strengthening financial inclusion and ensuring that vulnerable households receive greater protection through government-supported social security programmes.
