Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday announced in the state assembly that Kerala has become the first state in India to eliminate extreme poverty. The declaration was made during a special session held to mark Kerala Piravi, the state’s formation day. The Congress-led UDF opposition dismissed the claim and boycotted the session, calling it misleading.
Opposition Boycotted
Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan criticised the announcement, saying it violated assembly rules. CM Vijayan defended the government, stating that all promises had been implemented. Extreme poverty, defined as living on less than Rs 180 per day, has been nearly eradicated. According to NITI Aayog’s 2023 Multidimensional Poverty Index, only 0.55% of the state’s population remains below the extreme poverty line.
