New Delhi, April 30, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Wednesday posed a significant question to advocate Prashant Bhushan on whether India still retains the identity of a poor country, amid discussions on rising poverty levels since 2011. The query came from a Bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh during the hearing of a suo motu matter concerning the welfare of migrant workers affected by the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown.
The exchange occurred when Bhushan submitted data suggesting that poverty levels in the country have worsened since 2011. Responding to his submission, the Bench remarked:
“Mr. Bhushan, 2011, now we are in 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%?”
Bhushan clarified that the figures he presented were not his own assertions, but based on the views of former Chief Economists and credible sources who have raised concerns about rising poverty despite India’s economic growth.
The matter under discussion is a suo motu petition initiated by the apex court in 2020 to address the hardships faced by migrant workers during the national lockdown imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Appearing on behalf of the Union Government, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati informed the Bench that the government has complied with all directions previously issued by the Court. She asserted that multiple welfare schemes were implemented and continued post-lockdown to support migrants and vulnerable sections.
However, Bhushan contested this position and maintained that the schemes still suffer from several deficiencies. He argued that many issues affecting the most marginalised—especially migrants—remain unaddressed on the ground.
Due to a special bench matter listed for hearing in the post-lunch session, the Court deferred further proceedings in the case to a later date. The Bench observed that the matter will be taken up comprehensively on the next occasion.
