Why in News?
Dharmadam constituency in Kannur, represented by CM Pinarayi Vijayan, became Kerala’s first “Extreme Poverty-Free” constituency — part of the state’s mission to eradicate extreme poverty by 1 November 2025.
Description:
What is Extreme Poverty?
A condition where a household cannot meet basic needs essential for survival:
- Food: Access to sufficient and nutritious food.
- Healthcare: Basic medical services and mental well-being.
- Income: Sufficient for essential consumption.
- Housing: Safe and hygienic shelter.
Kerala’s Approach: Identified extremely poor households via grassroots-level survey using these four indicators, ensuring localized and data-driven targeting.
Global & National Poverty Lines:
| Level | Definition / Recommendation |
| Global Poverty Line (UN) | Living on less than USD 1.90/day |
| Tendulkar Committee (2009) | ₹32/day (urban), ₹26/day (rural); Poverty line ₹816 (rural), ₹1,000 (urban) per month |
| Rangarajan Committee (2014) | ₹47/day (urban), ₹32/day (rural); Poverty line ₹972 (rural), ₹1,407 (urban) per month |
| Current Official Line Used | Tendulkar Line (Government continues with it) |
Major Government Schemes to Reduce Poverty:
| Scheme | Objective |
| PM Awas Yojana (PMAY) | Affordable housing for poor (urban & rural). |
| National Food Security Act (NFSA) | Subsidized food grains to low-income families. |
| Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY | Health insurance for vulnerable households. |
| MGNREGS | 100 days of wage employment annually in rural areas. |
| DAY–NRLM | Promotes rural livelihoods & women’s SHGs. |
| PM Garib Kalyan Yojana | COVID-19 support through free food & cash transfer. |
| Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) | Ensures direct subsidy to beneficiaries to reduce leakages. |
Significance:
- Marks a milestone in Kerala’s inclusive development model.
- Reflects effective local governance, targeted welfare delivery, and data-based poverty tracking.
- Part of Kerala’s “No Extreme Poverty by 2025” mission aligning with SDG-1 (No Poverty).
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