Marking a historic moment on Kerala Piravi, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that Kerala has become the first state in India to eradicate extreme poverty. The declaration, made during a special Assembly session, signified what the Chief Minister called a “major step in the creation of a Nava Kerala.”

“Today’s Kerala Piravi marks a place in history because we have succeeded in making Kerala the first Indian state without extreme poverty. This Legislative Assembly has witnessed many historic laws and policy declarations. The Assembly now meets at a moment that marks yet another milestone in the creation of a Nava Kerala,” Vijayan told legislators.

Targeted Approach and Data-Driven Planning

The state government began its Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) in 2021, soon after the new administration took charge. The mission focused on identifying families struggling with multiple deprivations and addressing their specific needs through tailored interventions.

“Instead of a one-size-fits-all policy, the government identified 64,006 vulnerable families and created specific micro-plans for each one’s unique needs,” the Chief Minister had explained earlier. The project, supported by Kudumbashree, ASHA and anganwadi workers, and local bodies, involved surveys across all 1,032 local self-government areas.

Each household’s requirements whether food, housing, health care, or access to documentation were assessed individually. Over Rs 1,000 crore has been spent so far, with dedicated allocations in the state budgets for 2023–26.

Tangible Results Across Kerala

The programme’s outcomes have been far-reaching.

• 4,677 families received new homes through Life Mission, and 2,713 landless families were granted land to build their own.

   

• 5,522 existing houses were repaired, and thousands of people gained access to vital documents like ration cards and Aadhaar IDs.

   

• 20,648 families now receive regular food support, with 2,210 of them getting cooked meals daily.

   

• 85,721 individuals benefited from medical assistance, while 4,394 families were supported with livelihood or self-employment schemes.

   

Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh described the initiative as a “transparent and participatory process,” crediting the coordinated work of local governments under both the ruling and opposition fronts.

Kerala’s Development Path

Citing NITI Aayog’s 2023 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), Vijayan noted that Kerala’s multidimensional poverty rate stands at just 0.48%, the lowest in the country. This measure accounts for not just income, but also access to nutrition, housing, education, sanitation, and healthcare.

The Chief Minister attributed this achievement to decades of progressive social reform and welfare policies. “Kerala’s journey from having one of the highest poverty rates to eliminating extreme poverty is a testament to our people’s collective will,” he said.

Political Rift and Opposition Walkout

However, the announcement was not without controversy. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) dismissed the claim as “pure fraud” and staged a walkout during the Assembly session.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan alleged that the Chief Minister’s statement violated House procedures. “The CM’s statement via rule 300 was pure fraud and in contempt of House rules. So, we cannot join in that and are completely boycotting the session,” he declared before leading his members out amid slogans condemning the government.

Vijayan hit back sharply, saying the opposition’s accusations reflected their own conduct. “We only say what we can implement. We have implemented what we had said. That is our reply to the opposition leader,” he stated, adding, “The UDF was referring to its own behaviour when they say fraud.”

Celebrating a Milestone

The official ceremony marking Kerala’s declaration as “extreme poverty-free” was scheduled at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium, with film icons Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Kamal Haasan among the invited guests.

Calling it a “moment that will be remembered in Kerala’s history,” Vijayan said the achievement was not a sudden proclamation but the result of sustained, collective effort over years. “We only say what we can implement. We have implemented what we had said,” he reiterated.