Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly 84,000 families are facing extreme poverty in Kerala, revealed findings in a survey. The extreme poverty survey carried out by the local self-government department disclosed the number of poor families in the state. 

The survey was conducted to initiate projects for eradicating poverty in Kerala within 5 years. Interestingly, it is for the first time such a survey is being conducted with people’s participation. Currently, the details of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families have been collected. The government has taken an effort to identify those under extreme poverty for the first time. The final result of the survey will be published at the local body level on January 20. 

According to the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) prepared by Niti Ayog based on the year 2015-2016, the number of people stricken by poverty was only 0.7 percent in Kerala, the least in the country. 12 factors including nutritious food, infant and teen mortality rate, post-partum care, education, fuel used for cooking, drinking water, sanitation, and bank account were taken into consideration while preparing the poverty index. 

What is extreme poverty?

People with no income, home, health, or food twice a day, facility to prepare and eat food even if they get ration, and people who are bedridden and neck-deep in debts due to ailments are added to the list of extreme poor category.

The sub-committee classified 84,138 families as extremely poor till Monday based on the review by the survey and the focus group and the inspection by Grama Sabhas. The data is likely to change when the final report gets published from various districts. Most of these families consist of only one member. According to the census in 2011, there are 78.53 lakh families in Kerala. But the new survey revealed that more than one percent families in the state are in extreme poverty. 

Poverty also in Kottayam; Malappuram tops the chart

According to the Niti Ayog poverty index, Kottayam was the only district that was declared poverty-free in the country. But the new survey reveals that Kottayam has 1,119 destitute families. However, the count remains the least in Kottayam. With16,055 extremely poor families, Malappuram topped the list.

Number of extremely poor families in various districts of Kerala 

Thiruvananthapuram - 8395
Kollam - 4823
Alappuzha - 4488
Pathanamthitta - 3654
Kottayam - 1119
Idukki - 3152
Ernakulam - 6756
Thrissur - 6215
Palakkad - 7088
Malappuram -16055
Wayanad - 3690
Kozhikode - 9513
Kannur - 6327
Kasaragod - 2863
Total - 84138