Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan officially declared the state free from extreme poverty at a special session of the Legislative Assembly on the occasion of ‘Kerala Piravi’( Kerala formation Day) , making it the first Indian state to achieve this milestone.
Chief minister Vijayan made the historic declaration on Saturday in the Assembly amid strong opposition from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which termed the LDF government’s claim as ‘fraudulent’ and a “public relations” stunt. He said that the state has achieved a remarkable milestone in eradicating extreme poverty.
“Every Kerala Piravi (State Formation Day), we celebrate with joy. But this year’s Kerala Piravi Day is, for the people of Kerala, the dawn of a new era. Today’s Kerala Piravi marks a place in history because we have succeeded in making Kerala the first Indian state without extreme poverty.” Chief Minister Vijayan said
He said that the government’s four-year “Extreme Poverty Eradication Project” (EPEP), launched in 2021, had successfully lifted all 64,006 identified extremely poor families out of deprivation
Refuting the Opposition allegations that the declaration was a publicity stunt ahead of the local body elections, CM Vijayan said that the implementation of the Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project (EPEP) was a decision taken in the first Cabinet meeting of the current Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in 2021
“The eradication of extreme poverty was one of the key decisions taken at the very first cabinet meeting after the new ministry was sworn in 2021. It was also the beginning of fulfilling one of the most important promises made to the people during the Legislative Assembly election,” he said
The Opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) walked out of the session questioning the propriety of convening a special session just for the Chief Minister to make a statement under Rule 300 of the house procedures
As the special session of the Assembly commenced, Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan said the Chief Minister’s statement under Rule 300 is a pure fraud and in contempt of House rules
“ In this circumstance, we cannot join in that and are completely boycotting the session,” the Opposition leader said.
V.D. Satheesan, questioned the government’s data, citing a discrepancy with the central government’s figure of around 5.9 lakh “poorest of the poor” families with Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) cards. The opposition also pointed to a reported starvation death of a woman and the struggles of ASHA workers as evidence against the claim.
The UDF members then walked out shouting that the claim was “fraudulent” and “shameful.” Responding, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the UDF is referring to its own behaviour when it says ‘fraud’.
“We only say what we can implement, and we have implemented what we said. That is our reply to the opposition leader,” he said.
Opposition leader VD Satheesan on Friday said the claim that Kerala has become an extreme poverty-free state itself is a scam.” In their manifesto in item number 215 it was stated that there are 4.5 lakh people who are in the extremely poor category. How could this number shrink to 64,000? What is the magic behind this?” he asked.
Satheesan also highlighted the answer given by Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil which stated that according to the norms fixed by the central government, there are 5,91,194 AIY ration card holders in the state. The government must clarify whether they are upgraded from that category
Meanwhile, a group intellectuals, including distinguished economists , environmentalists and social activists raised serious questions about the credibility of the data and methodology used for the claim that Kerala has come out from extreme poverty
In an open letter addressed to the state government, a group of intellectuals ,including noted economists M A Oommen , K P Kannan, environmentalist and social activists R V G Menon and others urged the government to release an authoritative study report that identifies the extremely poor and validates the poverty eradication process.
Why is the government claiming that there are only 64,006 extreme poor when the Economic Survey 2024 shows that 5.92 lakh families are included in Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), the poorest (yellow card holders) of the four categories in the Public Distribution System, they asked
“As per the Kerala Economic Review 2024, there are 5.92 lakh families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) – the poorest category under the National Food Security Act, 2013. These families currently receive free rice and wheat from the state government, with the Centre providing the grains at subsidised rates. “If Kerala has only 64,006 extremely poor families, does that mean the AAY category will cease to exist? Will the Centre’s assistance under this scheme also end?” the signatories in the letter asked