In a landmark achievement, Kerala has become the first state in India to eradicate extreme poverty, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in the state Assembly on Kerala Piravi Day.
“Today’s Kerala Piravi marks a place in history because we have succeeded in making Kerala the first Indian state without extreme poverty,” Vijayan said, addressing a special session of the Assembly on Saturday.
He described the occasion as a defining moment in the state’s journey toward building a ‘Nava Kerala’ (New Kerala), rooted in inclusive growth and social justice.
Vijayan said eradicating extreme poverty was one of the first decisions taken at the initial cabinet meeting in 2021 after his government was sworn in for a second term.
“It was the beginning of fulfilling one of the most important promises made to the people during the Legislative Assembly election,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasized that this was not a symbolic declaration but the result of three years of sustained planning, micro-level implementation, and monitoring.
Opposition Boycotts Session, Calls It ‘Fraud’
The Congress-led UDF opposition boycotted the session, calling the government’s announcement “pure fraud.”
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan alleged that the statement was in “contempt of House rules.”
“So, we cannot join in that and are completely boycotting the session,” Satheesan said before leading a walkout.
Responding to the allegations, Vijayan took a sharp dig at the opposition.
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“When they say ‘fraud’, they are referring to their own behaviour. We only say what we can implement, and we have implemented what we said,” he countered.
Kerala, already known for its 100% literacy, digital literacy, and universal electrification, adopted a targeted, data-driven approach to eliminate extreme poverty.
With an investment exceeding ₹1,000 crore, the government: Ensured daily food supply for 20,648 families, including hot meals for over 2,200 households.
Provided medical treatment and essential drugs for 85,721 individuals.
Built or began constructing over 5,400 new homes, repaired 5,522 houses, and allotted land to 2,713 landless families.
Enabled 21,263 people to access basic documents like ration cards, Aadhaar, and pensions.
Supported 4,394 families with livelihood projects to ensure sustainable income.
“Instead of a one-size-fits-all policy, we identified 64,006 vulnerable families and created micro-plans for each one’s unique needs,” Vijayan wrote in a post.
A Participatory Approach
Local Self-Government Minister MB Rajesh said the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) was implemented through a transparent, participatory model, involving local bodies from both LDF and UDF administrations.
“This achievement transcends political boundaries. It is not as if we suddenly decided one fine morning to announce Kerala is free from extreme poverty,” Rajesh said.
Officials said the EPEP involved close coordination between panchayats, social welfare departments, and local communities, making Kerala’s approach a replicable model for inclusive governance.
Economists and policy experts have hailed the milestone as a blueprint for other Indian states. Kerala’s human development model, rooted in education, healthcare, and decentralised planning, continues to set national benchmarks.
The government now aims to expand its poverty eradication programme into a broader ‘Social Security Plus’ initiative, addressing health, housing, and employment sustainability.
