Incomes must increase for Viksit Bharat, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar asserted during a recent address, highlighting the necessity of an eightfold rise in per capita income to achieve the nation’s development goals by 2047. He emphasized that the vision of a developed India should not be solely defined by its economic ranking but by the prosperity of its citizens.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Dhankhar stated, “To define Viksit Bharat and make it a ground reality, the income of everyone needs to be increased by eight times.” He further elaborated that farmers, in particular, should look beyond traditional cultivation and engage in agro-based industries and animal husbandry to enhance their income streams.
Agricultural Sector’s Role in Achieving Viksit Bharat
Vice President Dhankhar highlighted the pivotal role of the agricultural sector in realizing the Viksit Bharat vision. He urged farmers to diversify their activities, stating that their involvement should extend beyond mere production to include processing and trading of agricultural products. “Farmers make a lot of effort in cultivating and harvesting crops, but beyond that, their role is negligible,” he noted, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive engagement in the agricultural value chain.
This perspective aligns with the broader governmental push towards enhancing the agro-based economy, encouraging value addition, and integrating modern technologies to boost productivity and income levels in rural areas.
Economic Reforms and Productivity Enhancement
Complementing Dhankhar’s views, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery pointed out that India currently has the lowest labor productivity among G20 nations. He emphasized the need for the country to diversify into high-value sectors, leverage global knowledge, foster local innovation, implement market reforms, and enhance skills development to improve labor productivity.
These strategic actions are deemed essential for driving sustained economic growth and improving the nation’s competitive edge on the global stage.
Political and Expert Reactions
The Vice President’s remarks have sparked discussions across political and expert circles. While some view the eightfold income increase as an ambitious yet necessary target, others question the feasibility of such rapid economic transformation.
Economic analysts suggest that achieving this goal would require consistent GDP growth, substantial investments in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as well as significant policy reforms to foster an environment conducive to economic expansion.
Balancing Vision with Ground Realities
From a combined human-AI perspective, Vice President Dhankhar’s emphasis on income growth underscores a holistic approach to development. While the target of an eightfold increase in per capita income is ambitious, it serves as a clarion call for comprehensive reforms across various sectors.
Achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047 will necessitate a concerted effort involving government initiatives, private sector participation, and community engagement. The focus should be on creating sustainable economic models that prioritize inclusivity, innovation, and resilience.
