The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked advocate Prashant Bhushan whether India is still carrying the tag of a poor country. .A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh posed the question when Bhushan cited data suggesting poverty levels have increased in India since the year 2011. “Mr. Bhushan, 2011, now we are 2025. Are we still carrying the tag of poor? Are we still on the premise that this country hasn't progressed? What is troubling us is that in 2011, 70% of people were poor, now it has increased to perhaps 80%?” the Bench queried. .Bhushan replied that it is not his claim but even the former Chief Economists have said that poverty is rising. The exchange came while the Court was hearing a suo motu petition initiated in 2020 for the welfare of migrants during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the Central government and argued that directions issued by the top court have been complied with. Bhushan pointed that there are many issues with the welfare scheme for the migrants. However, the Court said that the case will be heard on the next date as there is a special bench matter in the post-lunch sessions. .[Read Live Coverage]
