Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the State is now free from extreme poverty during a special Assembly session on ‘Kerala Piravi’, Saturday, November 1, 2025. It makes Kerala the first Indian State to declare such a status.
Opposition Walks Out, Calls Kerala CM Announcement a “Hollow Proclamation
The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) walked out of the session, questioning the need for a special meeting just for the Chief Minister to make this announcement under Rule 300 of the house procedures. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan called it a “hollow proclamation.”
Mr. Vijayan described this year’s Kerala Piravi as the start of a new era for the State. He explained the four-year process that led to this declaration. Also, he denied the Opposition’s claims that the announcement was a publicity stunt before the local body elections. He said that the Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project (EPEP) launched in the first Cabinet meeting of the current Left Democratic Front (LDF) in 2021.
Four-Year Journey of the Extreme Poverty Alleviation Project (EPEP)
“We only make promises we can keep, and we have kept our promise,” he said. He mentioned that the process of identifying extremely poor families began within two months of that decision, with help from local representatives, Kudumbashree workers, volunteers, and officials. Families identified through local data collection, reviewed and recommended by ward committees.
The list underwent further checks, leading to a draft list. This draft was presented to the Grama Sabhas, from which 1,03,099 individuals from 64,006 families identified as extremely poor. Evaluating food, health, housing, and income as key factors, micro plans created for each family.
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