Thiruvananthapuram, October 22 (IANS). Kerala has once again taken a step towards creating history. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will make this historic announcement of Kerala, which is going to achieve the feat of becoming the country’s first and world’s second extreme poverty-free region, at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on November 1.
Local Self Government Minister M.B. Rajesh and Education Minister V. Shivankutty gave this information in the press conference. The event will be attended by all ministers, opposition leaders, and film actors Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal as chief guests. A comprehensive committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Education Minister for the preparations for the event along with cultural programs.
According to NITI Aayog data for 2021, the poverty rate in Kerala was only 0.7 percent, the lowest in the country. The Left Democratic Front government, which came to power in 2021, made extreme poverty alleviation a priority in its first cabinet meeting. Through the scientific survey, 64,006 extremely poor families were identified who were unable to survive in basic areas such as food, health, livelihood, and shelter. Assistance was provided by preparing separate micro plans for each family. Government agencies, volunteers, and the general public worked together in this campaign.
These families included many marginalized people who neither had names in the voter list, nor ration cards, nor Aadhaar cards. Investigations revealed that members of 4,421 families had died, while 261 nomadic families could not be traced, possibly having migrated to other states. Security plans are ready for them too. Members of 47 families were listed in various local bodies, for whom planning was done on the basis of one family. Thus, 59,277 families have been freed from extreme poverty.
This achievement was made possible by the integration of various government schemes and development of special services. Social audit process is also being completed. The ceremony to be held on November 1 will not only celebrate this achievement but also highlight Kerala’s inclusive development model. Parallel programs will also be organized in local self-government bodies.
–IANS
SCH/DKP
