Ethical Governance and Intergenerational Equity in Poverty Reduction
Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) offers a replicable, participatory model for multidimensional poverty reduction, aligning with SDGs and decentralised governance.
- Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) redefines poverty alleviation by integrating multidimensional indicators, community participation, and customised interventions.
- It aligns with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), offering a scalable model for other states and developing nations.
Features of EPEP
- Participatory Identification:
- Surveys led by Kudumbashree, local governments, and residents.
- Final list of 64,006 extremely poor households selected through Grama Sabha scrutiny.
- Multidimensional Poverty Framework:
- Factors include health, disability, old age, lack of entitlements, shelter, employment, and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).
- Special focus on SC/ST, fishermen, HIV-affected, urban poor, orphans, LGBTQIA+.
- Customised Micro-Plans:
- Immediate Care Plan: Food, medical aid, entitlement documents.
- Intermediate Plan: Transitional support like temporary housing.
- Long-Term Plan: Livelihood generation, permanent shelter.
- Tech-Enabled Monitoring:
- Use of mobile applications and Management Information Systems (MIS) for accountability and timely delivery.
Impact and Achievements
- Kerala’s poverty rate dropped from 59.74% (1973–74) to 11.3% (2011–12).
- Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) fell to 0.55% in 2019–21, making Kerala the least impoverished state in India.
Governance and Institutional Strength
- Built on Kerala’s legacy of:
- Land reforms
- Universal education
- Public distribution system
- Democratic decentralisation
- Kudumbashree SHG network plays a pivotal role in women’s empowerment and poverty reduction.
Way Forward
- Institutionalise interdepartmental coordination for early warning signals.
- Establish dedicated mechanisms to prevent relapse into poverty.
- Promote Kerala’s model as a global best practice in participatory poverty eradication.
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