New Delhi, September 19: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday flagged the "stark disparity" within the country in the form of wealth creation and said bridging it will be the crucial challenge in achieving a 'developed nation' status. Addressing a function in the Central Hall of the old Parliament building, Chowdhury said India ranked 131st among 189 countries on the Human Development Index. He said 10 per cent of India's population controlled 73 per cent of the total wealth, while 73 per cent of the wealth created in 2017 gravitated towards the wealthiest one per cent. PM Narendra Modi Leads Historic March of MPs From Old Parliament House to New Parliament Building (Watch Videos)

Chowdhury said 670 million people in the country saw their wealth increase by one per cent in 2017. "This stark disparity presents a crucial challenge in ensuring that millions living below the poverty line have access to fundamental necessities such as food, shelter and healthcare – a prerequisite for moving towards a developed nation status," Chowdhury said. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Pralhad Joshi and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge were present on the dias at the function. Move to New Parliament Building Beginning of New Future, Says PM Narendra Modi in His Final Address From Central Hall of Old Parliament (Watch Video)

Special Session of Parliament

Chowdhury said the ability to achieve developed nation status by 2047 hinged on the active involvement of citizens. The Congress leader also said that lowering inflation, creating jobs and bolstering the health and education sectors were key for India becoming a developed nation by 2047. Chowdhury stressed that separation of powers must be maintained.

"India is not a homogeneous society, We are a heterogeneous society, we need to maintain a harmonious society," he added.