Kerala's EPEP 2.0: A Path to Zero Extreme Poverty

KERALA’S EXTREME POVERTY ERADICATION PROGRAMME (EPEP 2.0): STRATEGIES AND MICRO-PLANNING APPROACH

(GS Paper II – Governance, Welfare Schemes, Social Justice, and Poverty Alleviation)

Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) 2.0 represents a renewed commitment to completely eliminate extreme poverty through a blend of data-driven targeting, micro-level planning, and community participation. The programme builds upon the success of the first phase, aiming to make Kerala India’s first state to achieve “zero extreme poverty.”

1. DYNAMIC IDENTIFICATION OF FAMILIES

Families are identified using the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which goes beyond income levels to assess deprivation across housing, education, health, and social inclusion. This approach ensures that not only the chronically poor but also those at risk of slipping back into poverty are included within the safety net.

2. MICRO-PLANS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

In the first phase, over 64,000 family-level micro-plans were developed by local governments. These detailed action plans, prepared by field officers and community workers, outline short-term relief, medium-term support, and long-term empowerment goals:

• Immediate interventions: Food security, housing repairs, and medical assistance.
• Medium-term goals: Continuation of education and skill development.
• Long-term pathways: Sustainable employment and asset creation.

Under EPEP 2.0, these micro-plans are being digitised, updated, and customised to track real-time progress for each household. They serve as social development roadmaps linking welfare delivery with economic self-reliance.

3. GRASSROOTS INVOLVEMENT THROUGH KUDUMBASHREE

The women-led Kudumbashree network plays a pivotal role in implementing EPEP 2.0 by:

• Forming self-help groups for extremely poor families.
• Promoting micro-enterprises and local livelihood projects.
• Training women and youth in financial literacy and skill development.
• Ensuring community-based monitoring of programme outcomes.

This model ensures that poverty eradication efforts are locally owned and socially inclusive.

4. HELPLINE AND SAFETY NET CELLS

A dedicated helpline enables citizens to report cases of extreme poverty directly to local bodies. Each local body has established an EPEP Safety Net Cell tasked with:

• Verifying reported cases through on-ground visits.
• Coordinating welfare benefits across departments.
• Preventing families from relapsing into poverty.

5. SOCIAL SECURITY AND INCLUSIVE WELFARE

The programme ensures continuous access to essential welfare schemes, including:

• Comprehensive health insurance and free medical care.
• Mental health and counselling services.
• Skill training and employment linkage support.
• Housing, food, and education security for every household.

Civil society organisations and voluntary groups are actively engaged in implementation and monitoring to maintain accountability.

6. BUDGETARY ALLOCATION AND DIGITAL MONITORING

EPEP 2.0 is backed by a dedicated State Budget allocation to ensure continuity and sustainability. Local plan funds are also channelled to support the initiative. A real-time digital dashboard links household micro-data with welfare schemes, enabling better transparency, coordination, and measurable outcomes.

SYNOPSIS (75 WORDS)

Kerala’s Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme (EPEP) 2.0 seeks to make the state free of extreme poverty through data-driven identification, micro-level family plans, and Kudumbashree-led grassroots initiatives. With helplines, safety net cells, and digital dashboards ensuring transparency, the programme blends welfare delivery with livelihood generation. Supported by budgetary allocations and continuous monitoring, EPEP 2.0 exemplifies an inclusive and sustainable approach to eradicating extreme poverty.