Indian State With 600,000 People To Conduct World's Largest Experiment In UBI

[Swordsmyth]

A tiny Himalayan state bordering China is about to embark on the world's largest experiment in universal basic income.

All 610,577 citizens living in Sikkim will receive a guaranteed income, unconditionally, in lieu of cash a myriad of confusing social assistance schemes currently offered, according to the Washington Post.
"If there is one chance of it happening anywhere, it is Sikkim," said the state's sole member of India's Parliament, P.D. Rai.
Sikkim is notably progressive - being one of the first Indian states to successfully ban plastic bags, provide housing for all its citizens, and - more recently, it became India's first "organic state" by eliminating the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

Its social indexes also stand out from the rest of the country, with a literacy rate of 98 percent, and it has reduced the percentage of people living below the poverty line to about 8 percent — compared with nearly 30 percent nationally. Sikkim’s small geographic area and low population density have been responsible, in part, for its success.
Rai acknowledged that there will be challenges. “It’s a matter of political will ultimately,” he said. “With the rise of global inequality, we want to ensure that we bridge the gap.” Rai declined to reveal how much the program, which was announced ahead of upcoming elections this spring, would potentially cost the state. -Washington Post

In order to pay for the program - expected to roll out by 2022, Sikkim's tourism and power sectors will be tapped - as the Himalayan country sitting at 8,500 feet welcomes over 2.5 million visitors per year. Sikkim also generates surplus power - selling 90% of its hydropower.

More at: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-...l-basic-income

[oyarde]

So they will fund it by selling electric to the poverty stricken provinces and will not tell anyone how much it will cost . Yes indeed , very " progressive " . Sounds like the kremlin.

[devil21]

Even though the article shows paper cash and uses the term "cash payment", I'm betting the payment will be fully digital. The term "cash" has lost all meaning these days.

[Pauls' Revere]

So they will fund it by selling electric to the poverty stricken provinces and will not tell anyone how much it will cost . Yes indeed , very " progressive " . Sounds like the kremlin.

It will cost accordingly to what they want their lifestyles to be at the expense of others.