Source: TH
Context:
On Kerala Piravi Day, the Chief Minister of Kerala announced that the state has been declared free from extreme poverty, marking India’s first state-level success in achieving this milestone. The achievement comes after the successful implementation of the four-year Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP).
Understanding Extreme Poverty:
- As per the World Bank (2025 revision), individuals living on less than $3 per day (2021 PPP) are classified under extreme poverty.
- Kerala’s Local Criteria: Kerala adopted four indicators for identifying extreme poverty:
- Food insecurity
- Poor access to healthcare
- Lack of housing
- Absence of stable income
- The state’s approach emphasized human deprivation rather than just income metrics, differentiating it from the World Bank or NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).
Implementation Measures:
- Comprehensive Identification:
- Extensive surveys conducted by local bodies with support from 4 lakh trained officials and volunteers.
- Initially, ~1.18 lakh families were identified; post-verification, 59,000 families were confirmed as extremely poor.
- Household-Level Micro-Plans:
- Tailored interventions addressing gaps in food, shelter, health, and education.
- Food and Nutrition Security:
- Over 20,600 families received regular meals through Kudumbashree community kitchens.
- Housing Initiatives:
- 4,005 out of 4,677 homeless families were provided homes under the LIFE Mission scheme.
- Rights and Civic Access:
- Avakasam Athivegam (Rights Fast) ensured all identified families received civic documents, pensions, electricity, and LPG connections.
