Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally announced in the state assembly on November 1, coinciding with Kerala Formation Day, that the state has eradicated extreme poverty. The LDF government claims Kerala is the first state in India to achieve this milestone, a feat accomplished through the four-year-long Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project launched in 2021.
The program identified 64,006 families, comprising 1,03,099 individuals, as extremely poor through extensive ground-level surveys. Indicators such as access to food, health, housing, and livelihood were used to determine eligibility, ensuring assistance reached those in greatest need.
MB Rajesh, minister for local self-governments, explained that the project’s success stems from targeted support and a clear understanding of the needs of even the smallest population segment. A NITI Aayog study previously highlighted that Kerala already had the lowest poverty rate in India at 0.7%, making the eradication of extreme poverty a feasible, focused objective.
However, the announcement was met with protest from the Congress-led UDF opposition, who staged a walkout from the assembly and called the government’s claim “pure fraud.” Opposition leader V D Satheesan stated that the announcement was in contempt of House rules.
Responding to the protest, CM Vijayan remarked that the government only claims what it can implement, and this milestone reflects tangible results of the dedicated program. The Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project has now officially marked a historic achievement for Kerala, highlighting the state’s commitment to social welfare and inclusive development.
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