Central Economic Survey Praises Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication, Health and Industrial Growth

New Delhi: The Central Economic Survey Report has praised the Kerala government’s extreme poverty eradication program as well as Kerala’s progress in the health and industrial sectors. The report states that Kerala’s achievements in rural development and social growth are unparalleled.

The collective efforts of local self-government institutions, Kudumbashree, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi staff have driven Kerala toward these achievements. The Kudumbashree network played a decisive role as both a community monitor and service provider. The report makes special mention of the system under which individual “micro-plans” are prepared for each family and their progress is digitally tracked.

It also highlights as major achievements the fact that local bodies prioritised these interventions in their annual development plans, and that schemes such as the Janani Suraksha Yojana helped people overcome the economic distress caused during the COVID-19 period.

In the health sector, Kerala has attained outcomes comparable to those of developed foreign countries. The survey describes the reduction of the infant mortality rate to single digits as a significant achievement. The state is making model progress in newborn and maternal care, overall healthcare delivery, and improvements in social and economic conditions.

Kerala is also cited as a strong model in urban development and in improving the industrial climate. Through the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP), business registration processes have been made more efficient, and land and tax procedures have been digitised. Reducing the time required for environmental clearances and simplifying procedures have provided a boost to the industrial sector.

As part of sustainable development, the report commends Kerala’s rapid progress in expanding renewable energy, implementing carbon-neutral gram panchayats, and reviving water bodies. The Economic Survey further notes that Kerala is at the forefront, along with Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, in implementing environmentally friendly industrial policies.