Nagpur: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has voiced strong concern over the widening gap between the rich and the poor in India, describing it as a serious and growing threat to the country’s socio-economic stability. Speaking at a public event in Nagpur, Gadkari warned that wealth is increasingly becoming concentrated in the hands of a few, while the number of poor people continues to rise. This deepening disparity, he said, poses a major challenge to the inclusive vision of India’s economic future.
The Minister stressed that economic development must not be restricted to a privileged segment of society. He cited the disproportionate contributions of various sectors to India’s GDP as an example while nearly 70% of the population remains dependent on agriculture, the sector contributes just about 12% to the GDP. In contrast, the services and manufacturing sectors, which employ far fewer people, account for over three-quarters of the country’s economic output. This structural imbalance, Gadkari noted, has led to rural stagnation and social unrest, highlighting the urgent need for economic decentralisation and inclusive growth strategies.
Referring to past economic reforms under former Prime Ministers P. V. Narasimha Rao and Dr. Manmohan Singh, Gadkari acknowledged the role of liberalisation in shaping India’s economy. However, he argued that the benefits of growth must now be equitably distributed across all strata of society. Quoting Swami Vivekananda, he said, “Philosophy cannot be taught to someone whose stomach is empty,” underscoring the moral imperative to address basic economic needs before aiming for higher ideals.
Gadkari also pointed to the importance of self-reliant infrastructure funding. He detailed his successful implementation of the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model in road development and revealed that toll revenues are expected to surge from ₹55,000 crore to ₹1.4 lakh crore in the next two years, and potentially reach ₹12 lakh crore over fifteen years. He stressed the need to rely more on domestic financing tools such as Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), rather than foreign investment, to sustain long-term infrastructure development.
The minister’s remarks serve as a rare and candid acknowledgment from a senior BJP leader about the growing crisis of inequality in India. His call for action resonates with an increasing body of concern from economists, civil society, and global agencies warning that the current trajectory of growth, if unchecked, could fracture the nation’s socio-economic fabric. Gadkari's statements come at a crucial time, signaling the need for a recalibrated national vision one that champions equity alongside progress.