Is Kerala’s Claim of Poverty Eradication Misleading?
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Synopsis
Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar challenges the state's claim of eradicating extreme poverty, attributing the success to Central Government programs instead. He highlights how Kerala's slow response has hindered progress compared to other states, urging recognition of the federal initiatives that truly support the poor.
Key Takeaways
- Kerala's claim of poverty eradication is questioned.
- Central Government programs are credited for poverty alleviation.
- Only 2.72 lakh people in Kerala lifted from extreme poverty in 10 years.
- Comparison with other states shows significantly lower numbers.
- Political opportunism is highlighted.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 27 (NationPress) The President of Kerala BJP, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, asserted on Monday that the state's assertion of having eliminated extreme poverty is deceptive, claiming that this success was solely attributed to Central Government initiatives. He criticized the State Government for its delays in execution, suggesting they are trying to take credit for the outcomes.
Chandrasekhar emphasized that Kerala's bureaucratic sluggishness resulted in a decade-long timeline to achieve results that other states managed to obtain much more rapidly.
“While various states acted promptly to eradicate poverty, the Kerala Government was stagnant for years and is now attempting to present the accomplishments as its own,” he stated.
Referring to World Bank statistics, Chandrasekhar pointed out that approximately 170 million individuals across India have been lifted out of extreme poverty, while in Kerala, merely 2.72 lakh people have achieved this over the last ten years.
“It was the Centre’s welfare schemes that helped elevate people from poverty, not any initiatives from the state,” he added.
He highlighted that under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, around 6 lakh families in Kerala receive 35 kg of foodgrains monthly, and 58 lakh individuals gain employment through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
“These are Central schemes that have directly assisted the underprivileged in Kerala,” Chandrasekhar remarked.
In a comparative analysis across states, he noted that over the past decade, 6 crore people in Uttar Pradesh, 3.77 crore in Bihar, 2.3 crore in Madhya Pradesh, 1.87 crore in Rajasthan, and 1.59 crore in Maharashtra had been lifted out of poverty.
“In contrast, Kerala managed only 2.72 lakh,” he pointed out.
Accusing the state of political opportunism, Chandrasekhar declared, “For a decade, the Pinarayi Vijayan government has been renaming Central projects and adding stickers to claim credit.”
He described the poverty eradication narrative as the latest instance, adding that the PM SHRI scheme, aimed at enhancing education and youth development, was also delayed by the state for five years.
Point of View
The debate surrounding Kerala's claim of poverty eradication raises important questions about accountability and the role of government initiatives. It is crucial to examine the evidence and ensure that credit is given where it is due, thereby fostering a transparent discourse on poverty alleviation strategies across different states.
NationPress
27/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary claim made by Kerala BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar?
Rajeev Chandrasekhar claims that Kerala's assertion of eradicating extreme poverty is misleading, attributing the success to Central Government programs.
How many people in Kerala have been lifted out of poverty in the last ten years?
Only 2.72 lakh people in Kerala have been lifted out of extreme poverty over the past decade.
What programs did Chandrasekhar mention that support poverty alleviation in Kerala?
He mentioned the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) as key programs.
What criticism did Chandrasekhar have regarding the Kerala State Government?
He criticized the Kerala State Government for its delay in implementing poverty alleviation initiatives and for attempting to take credit for successes achieved through Central initiatives.
How does Kerala's performance in poverty eradication compare to other states?
Kerala managed to lift only 2.72 lakh people out of poverty, while other states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar lifted millions.
