Kerala Declared Extreme Poverty-Free: A Landmark Achievement in Social Governance

Kerala's government is celebrating a remarkable achievement as it declares the state 'extreme poverty-free' thanks to the successful implementation of the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP). Statewide efforts and strategic interventions led to this significant social governance milestone.

Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh highlighted the programme's foundation in participatory principles involving local bodies across political lines. Efforts included the training of over four lakh people, field verification, and targeted interventions for 64,006 identified families.

The initiative provided tens of thousands with essential services, housing, ID documents, and more, establishing a community-driven model. Rajesh affirmed the program's transparency and refuted claims of federal government credit, challenging other states to emulate Kerala’s success.