Kerala LSG Minister M.B. Rajesh counters critics on extreme poverty-free declaration, says participatory process followed

Countering questions raised by a group of economists, social scientists and activists on the parameters and methodology used by the Kerala government to declare the state free of extreme poverty, Local Self Government Minister MB Rajesh said the group of eminent personalities was not aware of the numerous documents available in the public domain about the participatory process followed by the government.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, ahead of the declaration on Saturday, he said that if the critics were well-meaning they could have provided constructive inputs at various stages of the process, instead of attempting to create a smokescreen just before the declaration.

“Critics raise the question of which recognized committee conducted this survey. Instead of a committee of five or six people, the government conducted a grassroots-level, participatory process involving more than 4 lakh people at various levels. The committees were formed at the district level, which included Kudumbashree volunteers at both the local and ward level, political party representatives, people working in the poverty alleviation sector, ASHA workers, SC/ST supporters, residents’ associations and a large number of other people,” he said.

Critics seem confused about the difference between poverty and extreme poverty, the minister said. Through the survey, the government identified and reached out to people who remained undocumented and without any support from government systems. After 1,18,309 families were identified in the initial surveys, the list was further shortened through a multi-level and transparent process of checking and super checking, involving grama sabhas. He said that for the first time in the country, micro plans were prepared for each of the 64 thousand 6 extremely poor families, according to their needs.

‘Documents are available’

“The process and progress are documented in government orders, economic surveys since 2022, manuals of the Kerala Local Government Institute and public statements by previous LSGD Minister MV Govindan. The Planning Board has also been closely involved in the process. It is unfortunate that they have chosen to raise such questions haphazardly without examining these public documents. Allegations of ASHA workers being paid over ₹430 per day, which is not below poverty as per Union government norms “It is the limit,” he said.

Mr. Rajesh said the required documents were issued to 21,263 people who were missing. Houses were provided to 3,913 families, land was provided to 1,338 families and house repairs were provided to 5,651 families up to ₹2 lakh each. He said the Prime Minister will release a detailed report on the project on Saturday.

signatories

Experts ask ‘Kerala free of extreme poverty or Kerala free of poverty? The government should publish the report, whose signatories include educationist RVG Menon, economist MA Oommen, honorary member of the Center for Development Studies KP Kannan, former Additional Director General of the Central Statistical Organization G. Ravindran, activist J. Devika and the extremely poor among others.