Kerala becomes India’s first state to eliminate extreme poverty, says CM Vijayan
Thiruvananthapuram – Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Saturday that the state has eradicated extreme poverty. He made the declaration in a special session of the assembly, marking Kerala Formation Day. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government claims Kerala is the first state in India to achieve this milestone.
Vijayan credited the success to the Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project, launched in 2021. Under the project, officials identified 64,006 families as “extremely poor.” The state then implemented targeted programmes over four years to help these families achieve self-sufficiency through housing, healthcare, education, and livelihood support.
The Road to Poverty-Free Kerala
Minister for Local Self-Governments M. B. Rajesh said the project began after a NITI Aayog study found Kerala had the lowest poverty rate in India—just 0.7 percent. “We understood that we must reach every family, however small the number may be,” Rajesh told reporters at a press briefing earlier in October.
He explained that field surveys identified individuals based on indicators like access to food, healthcare, housing, and livelihood. The surveys found 1,03,099 people from the 64,006 families living in extreme poverty. “We ensured that every family received tailored assistance to move out of deprivation,” Rajesh added.
Officials said local bodies, Kudumbashree units, and volunteer groups worked together to design family-specific action plans. Many families received support to rebuild homes, gain access to medical treatment, or start small businesses. The government claims these interventions helped lift all identified families out of the “extremely poor” category.
Opposition Rejects Claim
However, the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) dismissed the announcement as misleading. Leader of Opposition V. D. Satheesan called Vijayan’s statement a “pure fraud” and alleged it violated assembly rules. The opposition members walked out of the session in protest.
“So, we cannot be part of this false claim. We are boycotting the session completely,” Satheesan said, accusing the government of fabricating data for political mileage.
In response, Chief Minister Vijayan hit back sharply. “When they say ‘fraud,’ they refer to their own behaviour,” he said. “We only make promises we can fulfil. And we have delivered on what we said. That is our answer to the opposition.”
A Model for Others
Despite criticism, economists and social scientists have noted Kerala’s long record of progressive welfare policies. The state consistently ranks high on human development, literacy, and public healthcare. The latest claim, if validated independently, could further strengthen Kerala’s image as a social welfare model.
Vijayan concluded his speech by saying the government would continue to monitor all families and prevent them from slipping back into poverty. “Our aim is not only to eradicate extreme poverty but to ensure every citizen lives with dignity,” he said.
As debates continue, Kerala’s declaration has reignited national discussions on whether other states can replicate its approach to bridge India’s lingering poverty gaps.
