Kerala set to become first Indian state to eradicate extreme poverty: MLA | Latest News India – Hindustan Times

Kerala’s Initiative to Eradicate Extreme Poverty in Alignment with SDG 1

The state of Kerala has announced a significant advancement towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty), with officials reporting the state is on track to become the first in India to eradicate extreme poverty. This initiative was a primary policy decision of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government, established during its first cabinet meeting in 2021.

Government Strategy and Implementation for SDG 1

The government’s approach to tackling extreme poverty involved a detailed, multi-stage process designed to provide targeted and sustainable support, reflecting the principles of the SDGs.

1. Identification of Beneficiaries: A comprehensive survey was conducted to identify extremely poor families. This exercise involved a broad coalition of public representatives, local bodies, and social and voluntary organizations, demonstrating a commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Approximately 400,000 individuals were trained by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration to ensure the accuracy of this identification process.
2. Development of Micro-Plans: Following the identification phase, individualized micro-plans were created for each family. This tailored approach ensures that the specific needs and vulnerabilities of each household are addressed directly.
3. Phased Implementation: The micro-plans were structured with immediate, medium-term, and long-term objectives to facilitate a gradual and sustainable transition out of poverty, preventing regression and promoting long-term well-being in line with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Reported Outcomes and Progress Towards SDG 1

According to statements from MLA M. B. Rajesh, the implementation of these micro-plans has successfully lifted 64,006 families out of extreme poverty. This achievement positions Kerala as a significant contributor to India’s national progress on SDG 1. Rajesh further noted that this accomplishment places Kerala as the second global entity, after China, to achieve such a milestone in poverty eradication.

Contesting Perspectives on Poverty Alleviation Efforts

The state government’s claims have been contested by Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who offered an alternative perspective on the drivers of poverty reduction in the region.

• The state government’s claim was criticized as “mocking the poor,” with the opposition arguing that credit for poverty reduction is being misplaced.
• Reference was made to an April 2025 World Bank report, which attributed a significant decline in extreme poverty across India to central government policies implemented over the last decade.
• The report highlighted that national schemes, which align with multiple SDGs, have been instrumental. These include:
  • PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (contributing to SDG 2: Zero Hunger)
  • PM Awas Yojana (contributing to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)
  • Jal Jeevan Mission (contributing to SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation)
• According to Chandrasekhar, these central policies have enabled nearly 20 crore Indians to rise out of extreme poverty, indicating that progress on SDG 1 is a result of a broader national strategy rather than solely state-level initiatives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

• SDG 1: No Poverty
  
  The article’s central theme is the effort to “eradicate extreme poverty” in the state of Kerala. The entire narrative, from the government’s initiative to the specific numbers cited, revolves around ending poverty in all its forms. The statement that Kerala is “set to become the first in India to eradicate extreme poverty” directly aligns with the overarching mission of SDG 1.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus on poverty eradication, the following specific targets under SDG 1 can be identified:

• Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
  
  This target is explicitly addressed. The article repeatedly mentions the government’s “exclusive scheme to eradicate extreme poverty.” The claim that Kerala is becoming the “first Indian state to eradicate extreme poverty” is a direct reflection of this target’s ambition.
• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
  
  The article details a process of identifying “extremely poor families through an elaborate process” involving local bodies and social organizations. This implies a state-level or national definition of poverty. The action of lifting “64,006 families out of extreme poverty” is a direct effort to reduce the proportion of people living in poverty according to these specific, locally-defined criteria.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies specific indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 1.1 and 1.2: The number of families lifted out of extreme poverty.
  
  The article provides a precise figure: “the government had lifted 64,006 families out of extreme poverty.” This number serves as a direct, quantifiable indicator of progress. It measures the outcome of the government’s micro-plans and its overall scheme, showing a reduction in the population living in extreme poverty.
• Implied Indicator for Target 1.2: The number of families identified as extremely poor.
  
  The article states, “The very first step was to identify extremely poor families through an elaborate process.” The creation of this “list of extremely poor families” serves as a baseline measurement. Progress is then measured by the reduction in the number of families on this list, as demonstrated by the 64,006 families who are no longer considered extremely poor.

4. Table of Findings

Source: hindustantimes.com