Kerala is poised to become the first Indian state to be declared free from extreme poverty. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is scheduled to make the official announcement on November 1st, which also marks the state’s formation day. The declaration will be made at a special state-level function in Thiruvananthapuram.
This landmark achievement is a direct result of the successful implementation of the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP), initiated in 2021. The program’s primary goal was to ensure that no resident of Kerala lives in a state of extreme poverty.
The World Bank defines extreme poverty as living on less than $1.90 (approximately ₹168) per day. India, on the other hand, uses the Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index, which considers various socio-economic factors like nutrition, housing, sanitation, and education.
Local Self-Government Minister MB Rajesh highlighted that the EPEP was executed through a transparent and community-driven approach, with micro-level projects implemented across the state. He described it as a grassroots, multidimensional initiative aimed at ensuring no individual was left behind in the state’s development journey.
The EPEP has reportedly helped over 64,000 families overcome extreme poverty by providing consistent access to essential needs such as food, healthcare, livelihood opportunities, and safe housing.
Minister Rajesh further noted that the EPEP was the inaugural decision of the current LDF government’s cabinet, envisioned as a five-year plan for poverty eradication, and that the state has now met 100% of its target.
He attributed this success to the coordinated efforts and active participation of local self-government bodies, acknowledging the contributions of both LDF and UDF governments in this endeavor. He emphasized that this was not a sudden declaration, but the culmination of a well-defined strategy, with guidelines issued back in July 2021.
The government defines extreme poverty as the inability of families to access basic necessities like food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, and a minimum income. It also includes individuals lacking essential identification documents like Aadhaar and ration cards, or those excluded from welfare schemes.
Minister Rajesh specifically praised the pivotal role played by local self-government institutions, calling the EPEP a “people’s movement.” The program’s implementation involved multi-level committees comprising elected representatives, Kudumbashree members, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, MGNREGS staff, and social activists, all of whom received training.
Initially, 1,18,309 families were identified. This number was refined to 87,158 after extensive focus group discussions. Following detailed field verifications and gram sabha discussions, 64,006 families were confirmed to be in the extreme poverty category. Each of these families has been provided with a personalized micro-plan to address their specific challenges and ensure targeted interventions.