Extreme Poverty Eradication Project (EPEP)

Why in news?

Chief Minister of Kerala will officially declare Kerala as free from extreme poverty on November 1, 2025.

• EPEP – Also known as Athidaridrya Nirmarjana Project
• Launched in – 2021 by Kerala.
• Aim – To identify those suffering from extreme poverty who are currently outside the support system and support them to come out of the experience of extreme poverty within 5 years.

NITI Aayog’s 2021 study – Kerala is the State with the lowest poverty rate in the country with a poverty rate of 0.7% of the total population.

• 4 key indicators – Food, health, income, and housing.

Features of EPEP  

• Beneficiaries – The ground-level surveys identified 64,006 families, across the state was identified as extremely poor and targeted support.
• Micro-plans – A unique micro-plan on the immediate and long-term needs were prepared for each of the families to address their specific needs.
• Targeted interventions – This programme focuses on providing food security, health, housing, land, livelihood, etc.
• Focus on initial phase – On addressing food and health deprivation, to provide a lifeline for survival and dignity.
• Document delivery – Essential documents were provided to individuals who are in need of ration card, Aadhaar card, Electoral ID, etc.
• Integrating all schemes – The state achieved the landmark by integrating all government assistance and services available to the public in various schemes and also by coming up with special schemes.
• Social audit – The social audit process of the scheme is also being completed, and each beneficiary’s house is geo-tagged and data collected.
• Impact – The EPEP has been a major success, leading to Kerala's official declaration as the first state free of extreme poverty.

Quick Fact

References

1. The Hindu | Kerala - 1^st State ‘free of extreme poverty
2. Government of Kerala | EPEP Programme