Mon Nov 03 17:40:17 UTC 2025: News Article:

Kerala Achieves Landmark: Eradicates Extreme Poverty

Kerala, India – November 3, 2025 – Kerala, known for its strong social and healthcare systems, has announced the complete eradication of extreme poverty, marking a significant achievement on its 69th formation day. This milestone is the result of a four-year intensive program spearheaded by the local self-government department, with extensive community involvement.

The Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP), launched in May 2021 by the LDF government, built upon decades of people-centric development and decentralized planning. Prior to the program, NITI Aayog’s 2023 Multidimensional Poverty Index had already identified Kerala as the least impoverished state in India, with only 0.55% of the population classified as multidimensionally poor.

Instead of relying on self-reporting, the government deployed 400,000 trained enumerators to identify those in need. After rigorous vetting, 64,006 families (103,099 individuals) were identified as extremely poor, based on criteria related to access to food, health, livelihood, and housing. The program addressed individual needs through custom-made micro plans, providing essentials like identification, housing, livelihoods, medical care, and even organ transplants.

Acknowledging that combating poverty is an ongoing task, the state government has launched EPEP 2.0 to prevent a recurrence of extreme poverty and address all forms of poverty.

While critics of the “Kerala Model” often point to stagnant growth and unemployment, the government has accelerated infrastructure projects and invested in green industries. The EPEP success demonstrates that welfarism and growth can be pursued simultaneously, strengthening democracy at the grassroots level and presenting an alternative development paradigm.

Summary:

Kerala announced the eradication of extreme poverty on November 1, 2025, the state’s 69th formation day. This was achieved through the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP), launched in 2021. The program involved identifying and assisting extremely poor families through personalized micro-plans. The state has launched EPEP 2.0 to prevent any regression and plans to address all forms of poverty.

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