Indian state plans universal basic income for ALL of its 610,577 citizens – the largest trial run of the concept in the world
- Sikkim state in northeastern India announce trial run of universal basic income
- All of the state’s 610,577 will be taking part in the trial, the local MP says
- Trial of payment, which is not means tested, expected to be rolled out in 2022
A tiny Indian state is planning on introducing universal basic income for all of its citizens, the largest trial run of its kind in the world.
The state of Sikkim is one of the smallest in India, with a population of just over 610,500 – all of whom would be entitled to the new ‘salary’.
Universal basic income, also known as income guarantee or citizens income, is not means tested and aims to replace other state handouts to ensure that all citizens remain above the poverty line.
You’re welcome: The state of Sikkim, located in northeastern India is expecting to roll out the trial run of universal basic income for all its 610,577 citizens by 2022
Sikkim’s trial run of universal basic income for all citizens is expected to be rolled out by 2022, according to its MP.
‘If there is one chance of it happening anywhere, it is Sikkim,’ MP Prem Das Rai told the Washington Post.
‘It’s a matter of political will ultimately. With the rise of global inequality, we want to ensure that we bridge the gap.’
Sikkim is known for its focus on the environment and has higher levels of literacy and lower levels of poverty than the rest of India.
In 2016, the state was declared fully organic after phasing out chemical fertilisers and pesticides and substituting them with sustainable alternatives.
Sikkim is known for its focus on the environment, with the state declared fully organic in 2016, and has higher levels of literacy and lower levels of poverty than the rest of India
It recently launched the ‘One Family, One Job’ scheme, which guarantees employment for at least one person in each family through the local government.
Positions available include gardeners, hospital ward attendants, village librarians and village police guards.
With 610,577 adults currently living in Sikkim, the trial would be the largest ever conducted around the world.
Smaller such schemes have been tested in the past, most recently in Finland which saw a basic pay handed to 2,000 citizens as part of the trial.
The trial ended last year and Finnish government said it awaits the results, which are due to arrive at the end of 2019 or early 2020, before deciding on a wider roll-out of basic income.