Statement by India during the General Discussion under Keynote panel at the Social Forum (8-9 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 8 October 2020]

Mr. Chairperson,

India would like to thank the co-chair rapporteurs, President of the HRC and High Commissioner for human rights for their opening remarks. We also take note of the remarks of the keynote panel. The theme of this year’s social forum is very timely and pertinent.

2. Global inequality is deeply entrenched. Poverty is multi-dimensional in the forms it takes and its underlying causes. COVID19 has added a new dimension to poverty and has led to steep recession in many countries. The pandemic is already threatening the fulfilment of targets under Agenda 2030. The pandemic also highlights the urgent need for focused policy action to cushion its consequences, protect vulnerable populations, and improve countries’ capacity to cope with similar future events.

3. To cope with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, India has announced a US$ 270 billion stimulus package (10% of India’s GDP), including those focussed on women and their livelihood. These, inter alia, include PM’s Program for the Welfare of the Poor (PM Garib Kalyan Yojana), where a package of US$ 24 billion includes transfer of US$ 4.2 billion in bank accounts of 200 million poor families. Our largest food security scheme in the world will ensure sufficient food for the poor during COVID times. We are also ensuring employment for rural labour in these difficult times. India has also joined as a founding member of the Alliance for Poverty Eradication.

4. Government of India is implementing a comprehensive development strategy to end poverty in all its forms through, inter alia, accelerated economic growth and development, strong focus on vulnerable groups, special focus on women and children and broader social safety nets. Some significant steps taken in this direction include the world's largest financial inclusion scheme; Free Health Insurance for 500 million persons; construction of over 110 million sanitary units in five years and provision of safe drinking water to every household and providing 150 million homes for the underprivileged over the next 5 years.

5. Last month we have enacted three Labour Codes that will harmonize the needs of workers and industry. These Labour Codes aim to cover around 500 million organized, unorganized and self-employed workers by setting up a “Social Security Fund” for widening Universal Social Security coverage for them.

Mr. Chairperson,

6. India stands firmly committed for combatting poverty and inequality and looks forward to engaging discussions during this session of the Social Forum.

I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.