Kerala Government to roll out second phase of extreme poverty eradication project

Thiruvananthapuram: Facing sharp criticism over its declaration of Kerala as a state free of extreme poverty, the LDF government has decided to roll out the second phase of its poverty eradication project. The revamped version will introduce mechanisms to identify extremely poor families through public participation, with the aim of addressing complaints raised during the first phase. As part of the initiative, a helpline number and a social media page will be launched.

The state was declared free of extreme poverty just ahead of the local body elections, with a special Assembly session convened on November 1 and a public event organised with the participation of prominent personalities, including actor Mammootty. However, the declaration was soon overshadowed by media reports — accompanied by visuals — highlighting the plight of people still living in severe poverty. The reports triggered widespread public debate and proved to be a setback for the government. The opposition and academic experts also came out with strong criticism, and the electoral gains expected from the declaration failed to materialise in the local body polls. It is against this backdrop that the second phase of the programme is now being rolled out.

Assistance extended to 59,283 families
The extreme poverty eradication programme was launched in 2021 after identifying 64,006 families whose very survival was under threat. Excluding those who had passed away or moved out of Kerala, assistance was extended to 59,283 families through local self-government institutions, various government departments, and sponsors. The support included food, medical care, financial aid, and other forms of assistance. In the second phase, beneficiaries of the Ashraya scheme, launched in 2002, who continue to struggle for survival, will also be included — a key omission that had drawn criticism during the first phase.

Launch on Local Self-Government Day
The second phase of the programme, EPEP 2.0, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on February 19 in Kannur as part of the Local Self Government Day celebrations. The new phase aims to ensure long-term sustainability for families already covered and to identify households that have slipped into extreme poverty after 2021. The first consultative meeting on the project will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on January 7.