Kerala declares itself as first Indian state to eradicate extreme poverty
The Chief Minister said the eradication of extreme poverty was one of the key decisions taken at the first cabinet meeting after the new ministry was sworn in in 2021.
PTC News Desk: Adding another milestone to its achievements, Kerala has become the first state in India to eliminate extreme poverty, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced in the state Assembly on Saturday.
The declaration was made during a special session of the House convened to mark Kerala Piravi, the state’s formation day. However, the Congress-led UDF opposition dismissed Vijayan’s claim as “a complete fraud” and boycotted the session in protest.
"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," he said.
The Chief Minister said the eradication of extreme poverty was one of the key decisions taken at the first cabinet meeting after the new ministry was sworn in in 2021. "It was also the beginning of fulfilling one of the most important promises made to the people during the Legislative Assembly election," he added.
Kerala, already recognized as the first state in India to achieve total literacy, full electrification, and digital literacy, had undertaken several initiatives aimed at uplifting people from extreme poverty.
With an investment exceeding ₹1,000 crore, the state provided daily meals to 20,648 families — including hot food for 2,210 households — medical treatment and medicines for 85,721 individuals, and housing for thousands. Vijayan noted that over 5,400 new houses were completed or under construction, 5,522 were repaired, and 2,713 landless families were allotted land to build their homes.
Additionally, 21,263 people received essential documents such as ration cards, Aadhaar, and pensions for the first time, while 4,394 families were supported through livelihood initiatives.
Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh said on Friday that the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) was carried out through a transparent and participatory process involving micro-level projects across the state.
He credited the achievement to collaborative efforts that went beyond political affiliations, with participation from local bodies governed by both the LDF and UDF.
Criticizing the opposition for rejecting the initiative, Rajesh said, “It’s not as though we woke up one morning and decided to declare Kerala free from extreme poverty.”