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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday announced in the state assembly that Kerala has officially become free from extreme poverty. The declaration was made during a special session held to celebrate Kerala Piravi the state’s formation day. Todays Kerala Piravi marks a place in history because we have succeeded in making Kerala the first Indian state without extreme poverty. This Legislative Assembly has witnessed many historic laws and policy declarations. The Assembly now meets at a moment that marks yet another milestone in the creation of a Nava Kerala he said. The Chief Minister said the eradication of extreme poverty was one of the key decisions taken at the first cabinet meeting after the new ministry was sworn in in 2021. It was also the beginning of fulfilling one of the most important promises made to the people during the Legislative Assembly election he added. Congress strongly oppose claim However the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) strongly opposed the claim calling it “a complete fraud” and boycotted the session in protest. As the session began Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan criticised the chief minister’s statement saying it violated assembly rules under Rule 300. “We cannot be part of this. We are completely boycotting the session” he said before walking out with other opposition members who shouted slogans calling the government’s claim “fraudulent” and “shameful.” Responding to the criticism CM Vijayan said the opposition’s reaction reflected their own mindset. “We only make promises that we can fulfil and we have done what we said we would do. That is our answer to the opposition” he told the House. According to the World Bank extreme poverty means living on less than ₹180 per person per day. Meanwhile India’s Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) also measures poverty through other factors such as nutrition housing sanitation education and access to basic services.
