Kerala Reaches the Invisible and Overlooked, Achieves Historic Poverty-Free Milestone: Minister M. B. Rajesh

Thiruvananthapuram: “Kerala has officially emerged as India’s first extreme poverty-free state, marking a historic milestone on the global stage,” said Local Self-Government Minister M. B. Rajesh. He added that the state’s 69th birthday has become an unforgettable moment of pride for Malayalis across the world.
“The first major decision of the second Pinarayi government, taken in its inaugural Cabinet meeting, was to implement a comprehensive plan to eliminate extreme poverty. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally announced this initiative at a press conference on May 25, 2021. Since then, the state’s political leadership—from the Chief Minister to ward members—and its administrative machinery—from the Chief Secretary to Panchayat Secretaries—have worked together to achieve this goal. Through these sustained efforts, Kerala has become the first state in India and the second region in the world, after China, to eradicate extreme poverty,” the Minister said.
“This decision, being the government’s first, reflects its commitment to prioritizing the most vulnerable sections of society. Guided by Mahatma Gandhi’s principle of considering the weakest and poorest when making any decision, the left-led government under Pinarayi Vijayan focused on the lives of the most disadvantaged from the very beginning. After the announcement, implementation began under the guidance of local bodies. Kerala’s strong local governance system and decentralized administration were crucial in successfully executing this ambitious mission, making it a matter of pride not only for the government but also for officials and elected representatives at the grassroots level,” he added.
“The program was executed through a meticulous process to ensure that no one was left behind. Extreme poverty, rather than general poverty, was the focus. The LDF government specifically sought out the invisible and overlooked sections of society. Micro-plans were prepared to identify and support the most marginalized families, ensuring that development benefits reached the grassroots level. Each family received a tailored plan to address their specific needs,” Minister Rajesh said.
“Today, the smiles of all 64,006 identified families are being celebrated across the state. Through this achievement, Kerala is taking a decisive step toward building a ‘New Kerala,’” he added.