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Context

On November 1, 2025, Kerala will become the first Indian state to be officially declared "free of extreme poverty".

What is "Extreme Poverty-Free"?

• India currently lacks a universally updated national definition for extreme poverty.
• Kerala defines "extreme poverty" as a state where households are deprived of fundamental necessities like income, shelter, food, and health. 
• Kerala identifies vulnerable households using NITI Aayog's distress indicators from the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI).

What are the Key Pillars of Kerala's Anti-Poverty Strategy?

Kerala's "Extreme Poverty Eradication Project" (EPEP), launched in 2021, is key to its effective anti-poverty strategy.

Targeted Identification

• A four-stage verification process, including mass surveys, identified families and individuals in severe economic distress across local self-governing bodies.
• This grassroots effort leveraged Kudumbashree workers, ASHA workers, and local civic representatives.

Individualized Micro-Plans

• Local bodies developed tailored "micro-plans" for each identified family instead of a generic approach.
• These plans addressed immediate needs (food kits, emergency medical aid) and long-term rehabilitation (income generation, skills training, healthcare access, housing support).

Convergence of Welfare Schemes

• The EPEP integrated various existing and new government schemes for comprehensive social and financial support.
• Inter-departmental coordination, overseen by the Chief Minister, ensured benefits reached marginalized populations.

Focus on Basic Necessities

• Food Security: Provided food kits via ration shops and cooked meals through Kudumbashree's community kitchens.
• Health Services: Ensured treatment and medicines, including palliative care and emergency medical aid.
• Housing and Land: Completed or initiated construction of new homes, renovated houses, and allocated land for extreme poor families.
• Livelihood Support: Implemented schemes like "Ujeevanam" to create employment opportunities and boost income generation.
• Inclusion Drive: Assisted individuals in obtaining essential documents (Aadhaar, ration cards, pensions), integrating them into the state welfare system.

What Challenges Persist in Sustaining this Achievement?

Vulnerability to Relapse

Households exiting poverty are at risk of falling back due to economic shocks, health emergencies, or loss of an income earner. Continuous monitoring and strong social safety nets are crucial.

Demographic and Economic Pressures

Kerala faces challenges from high living costs and a growing elderly population, straining social security and creating new vulnerabilities.

Persistent Inequalities

Income disparities between urban and rural areas, and broader economic inequalities, may persist, requiring ongoing targeted interventions.

The Dynamic Nature of Poverty

Poverty is not static; climate change impacts and evolving economic landscapes necessitate flexible, adaptive policies, including "distress relief funds" at local levels.

Addressing Migration and Untraceable Families

Provisions are needed to assist nomadic or migrant groups who are difficult to trace, both if they return to the state and to prevent others from falling through the cracks.

What Lessons Can Other States Draw from Kerala's Model?

Adopt a Multidimensional Approach

Move beyond income-centric poverty definitions to address deprivations in health, education, and standard of living, as advocated by NITI Aayog's MPI framework.

Strengthen Decentralized Governance

Empower Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs) with greater financial and administrative autonomy to identify and address local needs effectively, and ensure last-mile delivery of welfare programs.

Invest in Human Development

Prioritize long-term investments in universal education and healthcare, as these foundational social infrastructures are critical for sustainable poverty reduction.

Ensure Women Empowerment

Replicate successful community networks like Kudumbashree, leveraging women's self-help groups for microfinance, livelihood generation, and community-led development initiatives.

Implement Data-Driven and Targeted Interventions

Conduct grassroots surveys to identify the most vulnerable and create individualized micro-plans, ensuring resources reach those most in need.

Ensure Inter-departmental Convergence

Facilitate seamless coordination among various government departments (e.g., local self-government, health, revenue, transport) to ensure holistic support and avoid duplication of efforts.

Align with SDGs

Kerala's success directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty), providing a model for states to align their policies with global sustainability targets.

Conclusion

Kerala is close to achieving "extreme poverty-free" status, a first in India, due to strong political will, local governance, and community involvement. The "New Kerala Model" balances development through oversight, social safety nets, and adaptability, using data-driven, local strategies and social justice for an equitable society.

Source: INDIATODAY