Lagatar24 Desk
Thiruvananthapuram: In a landmark achievement, Kerala has become the first Indian state to eradicate extreme poverty, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in the state Assembly on Saturday during a special session marking Kerala Piravi, the state’s formation day. The declaration marks a historic milestone in Kerala’s long-standing social development journey.
A Milestone in Social Progress
Chief Minister Vijayan said the eradication of extreme poverty was one of the first promises his government made after assuming office in 2021. “Today’s Kerala Piravi marks a place in history because we have succeeded in making Kerala the first Indian state without extreme poverty,” Vijayan declared, adding that this achievement was part of the government’s broader vision for a “Nava Kerala.” He emphasized that the decision to eliminate extreme poverty was taken at the cabinet’s very first meeting after the new government was sworn in.
How Kerala Eliminated Extreme Poverty
Kerala, already recognized for its 100% literacy rate, full electrification, and digital inclusion, launched an ambitious Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP). With an investment exceeding ₹1,000 crore, the initiative targeted 64,006 vulnerable families through customized micro-plans tailored to their specific needs.
The program provided daily food assistance to over 20,000 families, medical care to 85,721 individuals, and constructed or repaired more than 10,000 homes across the state. Additionally, 2,713 landless families were given land to build their houses, while 21,263 people received crucial identity documents such as Aadhaar, ration cards, and pensions for the first time. Over 4,000 families also benefited from livelihood support projects aimed at long-term economic stability.
Transparent and Inclusive Governance
Local Self-Government Minister MB Rajesh said the EPEP was implemented through a “transparent and participatory” model involving local self-government bodies from both the LDF and UDF administrations. He credited the success to coordinated action across political lines. “It is not as if we suddenly decided one fine morning to announce that Kerala is free from extreme poverty,” Rajesh said, dismissing opposition criticism as politically motivated.
Political Row in the Assembly
The announcement, however, was marred by political controversy. The Congress-led UDF opposition boycotted the session, calling the Chief Minister’s statement “pure fraud.” Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan accused the government of misleading the Assembly, prompting his party’s walkout amid slogan shouting. In response, Vijayan hit back, saying, “We only say what we can implement — and we have implemented what we said. That is our answer to the opposition.”
