Kerala Declared India's First Extreme Poverty-Free State by CM Pinarayi Vijayan

This special report from India Today focuses on Kerala, where Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has formally declared the state free from extreme poverty in a special legislative session. The opposition, however, boycotted the assembly, with Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan alleging the claim is a 'fraud built on manipulated data'. The UDF opposition has termed the announcement an election-era hoax and criticised the special session as an extravagance, while also continuing its demand for Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan's resignation over the Sabarimala gold theft case. The government maintains the declaration is the result of a four-year-long Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme that has uplifted 64,006 families through targeted micro-plans for housing, food, and healthcare. The announcement, made on Kerala's formation day, is being celebrated with a grand event attended by dignitaries including Kamal Haasan, Mammootty, and Mohanlal.