Congress wary of UBI, sees it as threat to UPA's social security net

UBI is the BJP's way of presenting its government as a pro-poor regime

The Congress is wary of the Universal Basic Income proposal mentioned in the Economic Survey 2016-17, as the grand old party thinks the concept could dent the various social security nets created by the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime to provide cushion to the poor.
 
According to Rajeev Gowda, who heads the All India Congress Committee (AICC) research cell, the proposed UBI could dent social security schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, pensions, mid-day meal schemes, right to food and fertiliser subsidy, launched by the UPA.
 
“MGNREGA is a