Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) in Kerala
The Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP), initiated by the Government of Kerala, has redefined state interventions in poverty alleviation and could serve as a global model. The program highlights a new approach to identifying and addressing deprivation, aligning with the achievement of the first and second Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Approach to Poverty Alleviation
Kerala's approach to poverty reduction stands out from traditional programs in India. It includes:
- Long-standing policies on land reforms, universal primary education, and public distribution systems.
- Democratic decentralization empowering local governments to implement localized projects.
- Kudumbashree as a pioneering model of self-help group (SHG) networks focusing on poverty eradication and women's empowerment.
State of Poverty
The incidence of poverty in Kerala drastically reduced from 59.74% in 1973-74 to 11.3% in 2011-12. NITI Aayog's Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) indicates further reduction to 0.55% in 2019-21 from 0.70% in 2015-16, making Kerala the least impoverished state.
Identification of Extreme Poverty
Despite the progress, pockets of extreme poverty persisted, requiring targeted assistance. Using the MPI framework, factors such as poor health, disability, old age, and severe deprivation among marginalized sectors (SC, ST, fishermen, etc.) were identified through participatory processes.
- 1,18,309 impoverished households were identified, narrowed down to 64,006 extremely poor families through surveys and a participatory nomination process.
Micro Targeting and Customised Plans
The EPEP innovatively provides customized micro-plans for each identified household:
- The immediate care plan addresses urgent needs like food and medical care.
- The intermediate plan offers transitional support for self-reliance.
- The long-term plan aims at establishing livelihoods and securing permanent shelter.
A Management Information System (MIS) monitors the implementation to ensure timely delivery and accountability.
The Way Forward
The EPEP shows an effective path for eradicating extreme poverty through multidimensional poverty principles and decentralized governance. Sustaining this achievement requires ongoing monitoring and a dedicated institutional mechanism to prevent regression into extreme poverty. This model could be a lasting solution.
