3.65 Crore People in Gujarat Rely on Free Food Grains — Rising Poverty Paints a Stark Contrast to State’s Growth Narrative

While Gujarat continues to project itself as a model of development and economic growth — earning titles like "Vibrant Gujarat" — new data reveals a grim reality. According to a report presented in Parliament by the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, nearly 3.65 crore people in Gujarat depend on free food grains under government welfare schemes.

This means nearly half of the state’s population relies on subsidized or free food under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The figure marks a sharp increase from 3.45 crore beneficiaries in 2022–23, indicating a rise of over 20 lakh people in just two years.

Despite repeated claims of progress, the economic condition of a large section of the population remains fragile. The data raises serious questions about the effectiveness of poverty alleviation measures, especially considering Gujarat has been governed by the BJP for over three decades and frequently hailed for its development model.

Rising Poverty Amid Development Claims

While the state promotes itself as a hub of industrial growth and urban expansion, this growth appears to be unevenly distributed. Reports show that in urban Gujarat, over 75.35 lakh people live below the poverty line, with an additional 26.88 lakh in rural areas. In some parts of the state, people are struggling to survive on less than ₹32 a day in urban areas and ₹26 in rural areas.

Furthermore, even as the state government promotes the free grain distribution scheme as a success story, critics argue that it reflects the deepening poverty in the region. In 2024 alone, the Gujarat government distributed food grains worth ₹7,529 crore.

According to official data, Gujarat has also seen an increase of 1,359 poor families in just the past two years. The state’s poverty levels now exceed those of traditionally less-developed states such as Jharkhand and Uttarakhand — and even wealthier regions like Punjab, Kerala, and Delhi have fewer people relying on free rations.

Welfare Measures Not Reaching the Margins

Despite the implementation of numerous government schemes aimed at poverty eradication, the persistent increase in dependence on food subsidies suggests that the intended benefits are not effectively reaching the most marginalized communities.

The growing reliance on welfare raises critical concerns about employment opportunities, income disparity, and the state’s long-term economic sustainability. As the state celebrates development milestones, the simultaneous rise in poverty demands urgent attention and a reassessment of policy effectiveness.