Kerala becomes First Indian State to Eradicate Extreme Poverty; Opposition Cries "Fraud"
In a major announcement, Kerala has become the first state in India to officially eradicate extreme poverty. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made this historic declaration during a special session of the state Assembly on Saturday, marking Kerala 'Piravi' or Formation Day.
The Chief Minister highlighted that this achievement was the fulfillment of a key promise made by his government. The process was part of a meticulously planned Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP).
This remarkable feat wasn't the result of a single policy. Instead, the government focused on a targeted, micro-level approach. Officials first identified 64,006 specific families across the state living in extreme poverty.
With an investment of over Rs 1,000 crore, the state created a unique "micro-plan" for each family based on their specific needs. This "Kerala development model" for poverty alleviation ensured families received targeted support.
The plan provided daily food for over 20,000 families and essential medical treatment for more than 85,000 individuals. Secure housing was a major focus, with over 5,400 new homes built and thousands more repaired. The government also provided land to 2,713 landless families.
Beyond basic needs, the state helped over 21,000 people get essential documents like ration cards and Aadhaar for the first time, unlocking access to other government services. Furthermore, 4,394 families were supported with new livelihood projects to ensure they have a sustainable income. This success story could offer valuable lessons for Odisha's own poverty reduction initiatives.
However, the announcement was met with political controversy. The Congress-led UDF opposition boycotted the special session, calling the Chief Minister's statement "pure fraud."
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan claimed the declaration was a "contempt" of House rules. Responding to the allegations, CM Vijayan stated that his government "only says what we can implement" and has "implemented what we had said."
