Kerala Becomes First Indian State to Eradicate Extreme Poverty

November 1, 2025 MTIMES 2 min read extreme poverty eradication, Indian development, Kerala News, Kerala Piravi, Pinarayi Vijayan, poverty-free Kerala

Kerala has officially become the first state in India to eradicate extreme poverty, marking a historic moment in the nation’s social development journey. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made the announcement during a special session of the Kerala Legislative Assembly on the occasion of Kerala Piravi, the state’s formation day.

Kerala Eradicates Extreme Poverty through Focused Welfare Measures

Vijayan declared that the government’s targeted approach to social welfare and inclusive growth had made this achievement possible. “Today’s Kerala Piravi marks a place in history because we have succeeded in making Kerala the first Indian state without extreme poverty,” he said, calling it a defining moment in the creation of a Nava Kerala (New Kerala).

Kerala Eradicates Extreme Poverty: Promise Fulfilled from 2021 Cabinet Agenda

The Chief Minister reminded the Assembly that the eradication of extreme poverty was among the first decisions taken by the state cabinet after assuming office 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 stated.

Opposition Dismisses Government Claim as Misleading

However, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) opposition strongly criticized the announcement, labeling it as “pure fraud.” Opposition members boycotted the Assembly session in protest, questioning the credibility of the government’s poverty assessment data.

Disclaimer: This report is based on official statements made in the Kerala Legislative Assembly and public responses from opposition leaders. Independent verification of poverty eradication metrics is awaited from national data sources.

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