Kottayam Declared Kerala’s First District Free of Extreme Poverty

Kottayam has become the first district in Kerala to be officially declared free of extreme poverty. The announcement was made today by Minister M.B. Rajesh during a function held at the District Planning Committee Conference Hall, where Minister V.N. Vasavan presided over the event. Following the state government’s prioritization of eradicating extreme poverty, a detailed survey identified 1,071 families in such conditions. After excluding deceased individuals and those who had migrated to other districts or states, 903 families were included in the final list. Various support services were provided to these families, including food kits and cooked meals for those unable to prepare food on their own. A total of 605 families received these food-related services. Additionally, 693 families were provided with medications, 206 received palliative care services, and six families were given essential health and hygiene supplies. The operations were carried out according to micro-level plans prepared by local self-government institutions.