Kerala has taken another step to create history

Thiruvananthapuram, October 22 (IANS). Kerala has taken another step to create history. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will make this historic announcement of Kerala, which will achieve the feat of becoming the country’s first and the world’s second extreme poverty-free region, at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on November 1. MB 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 Minister of Education for the preparations for the event along with cultural programmes. 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 relief a priority in its first cabinet meeting. Through the scientific survey, 64,006 extremely poor families were identified who could not survive in basic areas such as food, health, livelihood and shelter. Assistance was provided by drawing up 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 did not have names in the electoral roll, nor ration cards, nor Aadhaar cards. Investigations revealed that members of 4,421 families died, while 261 nomadic families could not be traced, who may have migrated to other states. Security plans are also ready for them. 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 were 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 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 Share this story Tags