Is the Claim of No Extreme Poverty in Kerala Just PR Propaganda?
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Synopsis
V.D. Satheesan, Leader of the Opposition, challenges the Kerala government's claim of eradicating extreme poverty, alleging that it is a publicity stunt based on distorted data. While a hunger-related death occurred, he emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability from the government.
Key Takeaways
- Criticism of Government Claims: Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan highlights flaws in the government's declarations on poverty.
- Hunger-Related Deaths: A death linked to hunger occurred on the same day as the government's announcement.
- Cyberattacks on Experts: CPI(M) allegedly targeted experts disputing official statistics.
- Misallocation of Funds: Claims of funds meant for the poor being diverted for celebrations.
- Call for Transparency: Satheesan emphasizes the need for accountability and transparency in government data.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 3 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, criticized the Kerala government's assertion that the state has eradicated extreme poverty, branding it a “public relations stunt based on distorted figures.”
These statements were made shortly after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan proclaimed in a special Assembly session and later at a large public gathering in Thiruvananthapuram that the state is now devoid of extreme poverty.
Satheesan accused the CPI(M) of launching cyberattacks on economists and social scientists who have challenged the government's distorted statistics.
“While the government celebrated its so-called announcement, a hunger-related death was reported in Thiruvananthapuram on the same day. The assertion that Kerala has no ultra-poor is false. The government has not even utilized the budget allocated for poverty alleviation,” Satheesan stated to reporters in the capital.
He emphasized that the Opposition has never opposed the decision to support 64,000 impoverished families, but the government has turned this announcement into a propaganda campaign.
“Had the CPI(M) been in Opposition, they would have opposed it as well,” he remarked.
Satheesan accused the party's cyber cells of viciously attacking experts such as R.V.G. Menon, Dr. K.P. Kannan, M.K. Das, Dr. M.A. Oommen, and Aravindakshan for questioning the official poverty data.
“If Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had the power to exile individuals, he would have expelled them from Kerala,” he added.
In response to Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh’s recent comments mocking the Opposition, Satheesan stated that the government has become intolerant of dissent.
“This is not Stalin’s Russia; this is democratic Kerala. The public will continue to criticize and expose false claims,” he asserted.
The Opposition leader further claimed that state funds designated for housing the poor have been diverted to organize extravagant celebrations, including inviting film stars and MLAs to Thiruvananthapuram for a grand event.
“Was the celebration and extensive publicity funded using INR 1.5 crore taken from resources meant for the impoverished?” he questioned.
The government is misleading the populace, and we will unveil the complete truth before the elections,” he cautioned.
Point of View
Our commitment is to present facts without bias. The claims made by the Kerala government regarding poverty elimination are contentious and warrant scrutiny. Public discourse should be grounded in verified data and transparency, ensuring that the voices of the marginalized are heard and represented.
NationPress
05/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did V.D. Satheesan say about the Kerala government's claim?
V.D. Satheesan criticized the Kerala government's assertion of having eliminated extreme poverty, calling it a PR stunt based on manipulated data.
What evidence did Satheesan provide to support his claims?
Satheesan pointed out that a hunger-related death was reported in Thiruvananthapuram on the same day the government made its announcement, indicating ongoing poverty issues.
How did the CPI(M) respond to the criticism?
Satheesan accused the CPI(M) of attacking economists and social scientists who challenged the government's poverty statistics.
