Kerala has always been ahead in many areas — it was the first state to achieve 100% literacy, become fully electrified, and even declared itself the first digitally literate state in India. Now, Kerala has reached another big milestone by becoming the first state in the country to completely get rid of extreme poverty. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced this in the state assembly. He said that after several surveys and detailed data studies, the government found that there are no families in Kerala living in extreme poverty anymore. According to a World Bank report, poverty levels in India have gone down overall, but states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha still have some families living in extreme poverty. Kerala, which is already known for its strong education, healthcare, and social development systems—similar to those in developed countries—has now added another achievement by eliminating extreme poverty.
Fighting poverty is a never-ending task, and criticism of claims of eradicating extreme poverty, especially in the context of the plight of the tribal population, is inevitable. The state government has launched EPEP 2.0 to prevent the recurrence of poverty and ensure that no new families fall into extreme poverty. The LDF has pledged to tackle all forms of poverty in mission mode. Critics of the ‘Kerala Model’ have often cited stagnant growth and rising unemployment as evidence of its alleged failure. The state has accelerated major infrastructure projects and high-tech green industries to bridge the deficit in these areas. It is also providing skills to educated people to reduce unemployment. EPEP demonstrates that progressive governance can be based on both welfare and development, without compromising social security or sustainability. This largely community-driven model may not be flawless, but it is evolving on its own and strengthening grassroots democracy. It offers an alternative development paradigm—a Kerala story worth promoting. The Chief Minister said that one of the decisions taken in the first cabinet meeting after the formation of the government in 2021 was to eradicate extreme poverty. He said, “This was the beginning of fulfilling one of the most important promises made to the people during the assembly elections.” In this regard, the Kerala government launched several schemes to lift hundreds of people out of extreme poverty. According to reports, a special program costing ₹1,000 crore was implemented. Daily meals were provided to 20,648 families, of which 2,210 families received hot meals. 85,721 people received essential medical treatment and medicines. 5,400 new houses were built or are being built. 5,522 houses were repaired, and 2,713 landless families were given land for home construction. The Chief Minister stated in a post that 21,263 people were issued ration cards, Aadhaar cards, and pension documents for the first time. 4,394 families were provided financial assistance for livelihood projects. The government identified 64,006 vulnerable families and tailored tailored programs to each family’s individual needs.
The welfare state is a concept of governance in which the state plays a crucial role in the economic and social advancement of citizens. The welfare state is based on principles such as equality of opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and assistance to those who are unable to secure the minimum necessities of a good life. It is a general term that encompasses a wide variety of economic and social organizations. The welfare state is a form of government in which the state protects and promotes the economic and social well-being of citizens based on the principles of equal opportunity, equitable distribution of wealth, and public responsibility for those who are unable to benefit themselves. Whether it is Chanakya, Aristotle, or Plato, they all emphasized the concept of a welfare state.
A welfare state does not refer to the welfare of a particular class, but rather to the welfare of the entire public. Thus, a state that functions with the entire public at its core is a welfare state. The sacred land of Kerala, where lush coconut groves embrace the waves of the sea and the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats are drenched in monsoon rains, has been freed from extreme poverty. This entire process was not only transparent and people-participatory, but also conducted with human dignity at the forefront. This achievement of Kerala has given rise to new hope.
States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh can learn from Kerala’s micro-planning. Central schemes like PM Awas and Ayushman Bharat can be made more effective by linking them with programs like EPEP. Kerala’s declaration is a living testament to collective will and decades of visionary policies in land reforms, public health, and social justice. This is why it can proudly declare that poverty eradication is possible.
