Kottayam becomes first district in Kerala to eradicate extreme poverty, announces Minister Rajesh

Kerala has achieved a major milestone in its mission to remove extreme poverty. On Saturday, Minister for Local Self Government M B Rajesh officially declared that Kottayam is now the first district in the state to be free of extreme poverty. The announcement was made during a special function held in the district. The Minister praised the efforts of local bodies and residents, saying that Kottayam is leading the way in meeting the state’s goal to eliminate extreme poverty completely.

State Cooperation Minister V N Vasavan also attended the event and said that Kottayam might even be the first district in all of India to reach this milestone. He praised the dedication and teamwork that made this achievement possible. Both ministers credited the success to the state government’s focused plan and the strong cooperation of local self-government institutions.

Minister Rajesh reminded people that one of the first actions taken by the current Left Democratic Front (LDF) government was to fight against extreme poverty. As part of this effort, a detailed survey was carried out across Kerala. The survey found 64,006 families living in extreme poverty. These families were identified and supported through targeted planning and action.

Rajesh said that this kind of focused anti-poverty programme had previously been attempted only in China, making Kerala’s efforts unique in India. According to the minister, 93% of the families identified in the survey have now been lifted out of extreme poverty. He called this a historic moment not just for Kerala but for the whole country.

Microplans for every family

One of the key tools used to tackle poverty was the development of microplans. These are individual action plans created for each extremely poor family. Each microplan looked into the specific needs of a family and outlined steps to improve their condition. These steps included access to food, medicine, palliative care, housing, and income sources.

In Kottayam district, 903 families were found to be extremely poor, and 978 microplans were prepared for them back in August 2022. The plans were created and implemented by the local self-government bodies. These plans were not general in nature but were made with attention to each family’s unique condition.

Through these microplans, basic necessities such as food and medicine were provided to all the families. Health support, including equipment for palliative care, was also delivered. The government ensured that none of the families were left behind when it came to health services or essential supplies.

Another important part of the programme was providing income-generating opportunities. Over 150 families received support to start small businesses or find other means of earning. This step was vital in making sure that the families did not fall back into poverty after receiving initial help.

Minister Vasavan noted that Kottayam district had performed better than others in collecting data quickly and using it to prepare the microplans. This fast and effective action made the district a leader in Kerala’s fight against extreme poverty.

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Rajesh added that the state government will now aim to apply this successful model across all districts in Kerala. Programmes like LIFE Mission, which provides homes for the homeless and land for the landless, will continue to be part of this plan. These efforts are meant to create long-term solutions to poverty, not just temporary relief.

He also said that other Indian states have shown great interest in Kerala’s model. They are closely watching the progress and are even surprised by how fast Kerala has moved toward achieving this goal.

In conclusion, Kottayam’s recognition as the first district in Kerala to eliminate extreme poverty is a proud moment for the state. It shows how clear planning, teamwork, and strong governance can bring real change to people’s lives. With microplans, government projects, and the involvement of local bodies, Kerala is showing the rest of the country how poverty can be tackled in a focused and compassionate way.