The Kerala government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has taken the initiative to offer free travel in Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses to students hailing from severely impoverished backgrounds. Additionally, students who complete Class X will be provided seats for Plus One and Plus Two in schools situated near their homes. The government has also outlined plans to extend scholarships for higher education, offer stipends, and provide free meals from college canteens to students coming from extremely disadvantaged households.
During his Independence Day Address on August 15, the chief minister conveyed that his government is committed to the comprehensive elimination of extreme poverty in society. He emphasised that such an initiative is groundbreaking within the context of Indian states. A total of 64,006 families falling into the extremely impoverished category have been identified in the state. The necessary government documents for these families have already been disseminated.
The CM said, "We have meticulously devised microplans aimed at enhancing the quality of life and means of sustenance for the extremely impoverished residents of the state. Through the collaborative efforts of diverse departments, we expect to eradicate extreme poverty from the state by the year 2025."
The Kerala government has categorised extremely impoverished families based on four key aspects: food, healthcare, income, and shelter. According to official government records, a total of 4,736 families were identified as grappling exclusively with food-related challenges. Moreover, 13,753 families were recognised as having difficulties in accessing adequate healthcare. Within this group, a total of 28,663 individuals were identified as suffering from severe healthcare issues. Besides, 1,705 families are contending with insufficient household income, and as many as 8,671 families are confronted with challenges encompassing both food and healthcare.
For efficient administration, various departments will be granted access to the details of those classified as extremely poor through the MIS Portal of Kerala. The government has also issued job cards to those encountering difficulties in securing a livelihood. Additionally, a commitment has been made to offer rehabilitation and treatment to individuals grappling with mental health issues. Notably, individuals with mental health conditions who are found wandering the streets will receive treatment at Medical Colleges or District Hospitals. The chief minister has also directed for the acceleration of procedures aimed at providing land and residences to individuals from the extremely impoverished segment who are without land and housing.