Kerala to Become India’s First ‘Extreme Poverty-Free’ State on November 1

Kerala to Become India’s First ‘Extreme Poverty-Free’ State on November 1

Analysis:

1. Significance of the Declaration:
   • Kerala will officially be declared India’s first state to eradicate extreme poverty, making it only the second region in the world after China to achieve this milestone.
   • The announcement will be made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Kerala’s formation day at Thiruvananthapuram’s Central Stadium, in the presence of state ministers, local body representatives, and film icons Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal.
2. Definition of Extreme Poverty:
   • Individuals or families unable to meet basic needs like food, shelter, healthcare, education, and clothing.
   • World Bank threshold: living on less than $2.15 per person per day (~Rs 180).
   • India’s measurement: Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) by NITI Aayog, which includes nutrition, housing, sanitation, education, and access to basic services.
3. Kerala’s Performance:
   • As per 2023 NITI Aayog MPI, Kerala had only 0.55% of its population classified as multidimensionally poor, the lowest in India, followed by Goa (0.84%) and Puducherry (0.85%).
4. Implementation Strategy:
   • Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Project launched in 2021.
   • Method: Survey every family in extreme poverty and develop micro-level, customized plans rather than generic state-level schemes.
   • Surveyed by Kudumbashree workers, ASHA health workers, and local representatives.
   • Identified 64,006 families (1,30,009 individuals) as extremely poor.
5. Key Interventions:
   • Housing: 3,913 houses built, 1,338 families given land, 5,651 families received Rs 2 lakh for house repairs.
   • Essential documents: 21,263 individuals received ration cards and other documentation.
   • Livelihood and social welfare programs tailored to individual needs.
   • Inclusive of nomadic groups and landless families.
6. Execution and Coordination:
   • Project overseen by Chief Minister’s Office with inter-departmental coordination across housing, healthcare, transport, and revenue.
   • Continuous verification via social audits and local body cross-checks.
   • Government expenditure: Rs 80 crore in FY 2023–24 and Rs 50 crore in FY 2024–25.
   • Final verified list: 59,277 families lifted out of extreme poverty.
7. Sustainability Measures:
   • Ongoing monitoring and support to prevent relapse into poverty.
   • Special attention to vulnerable groups and continuous follow-up at local levels.

Static Facts:

• State: Kerala
• Announcement Date: November 1, 2025 (Kerala Formation Day)
• Key Officials: CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh, Education Minister V. Sivankutty
• Event Location: Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
• Project Launched: 2021 (Extreme Poverty Eradication Project)
• Total Families Benefited: 59,277
  
   Updated - October 24, 2025 ; 10:51 AM | Money Control