73,000 Micro Plans, Rigorous Monitoring, and a Model of Human Dignity
In Kerala’s Kottayam district, 63-year-old Swarnamma has spent her entire life in rented houses. A widow with limited means, she never imagined owning a home. One day, a team from the district administration visited her, handing her ₹10 lakh to build a house and secure her future. Swarnamma purchased three cents (1,306 sq ft) of land for ₹6 lakh and today, her new home is taking shape.
Swarnamma’s story mirrors that of 64,000 families , over 1.03 lakh individuals who once lived in extreme poverty across Kerala. Their lives have now transformed.
Through strong government action and social participation, Kerala is once again emerging as the nation’s role model this time, for eliminating extreme poverty altogether. The state will officially declare this achievement on November 1, making it the first in India and South Asia to reach this milestone.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan explained that, according to the United Nations, anyone earning less than ₹158.10 per day falls under the category of extreme poverty. Kerala went beyond this definition, including food, income, healthcare, and housing as indicators of “human dignity.” Civil society organizations played a pivotal role in this transformation.
The state created 73,000 micro-plans, offering customized solutions to each household with strict monitoring and transparent accounting for every rupee spent.
The movement began in 2021, when the government deployed 1,300 surveyors across 14 districts to identify individuals lacking access to basic needs. Using ward-level nominations, mobile app–based surveys, and Gram Sabha verifications, they identified 1,03,099 people living in extreme poverty : 81% in rural areas, 68% living alone, and many facing health or housing challenges.
With community audits and meticulous oversight, the plans delivered measurable impact:
- 4,394 families gained sustainable income sources.
- 29,427 people received medicines.
- 4,829 individuals received medical assistance.
- 424 households received healthcare devices.
- 5,354 homes were repaired; 3,913 families were given new homes.
- 1,338 people received land, and 743 families were moved to safe rental housing.
Kerala’s initiative, rooted in human dignity rather than statistics, shows how inclusive governance and people’s participation can turn a welfare mission into a movement and once again, place Kerala at the forefront of India’s social progress
About The Author
