THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government is planning to implement free travel for children from very poor families travelling in KSRTC buses for educational purposes. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan regarding the plan to eradicate extreme poverty.

The facility will be provided to the children who have passed the 10th standard to study in the adjacent school. Higher education scholarships, stipend and free food in college canteen will be provided. The Chief Minister directed to intensify the measures to provide land and house to the landless and extremely poor. A special medical board will be constituted to issue UD ID to differently-abled persons.

The Chief Minister suggested that the family members should find a source of income to stand on their own feet.

"Mentally challenged should be given special care and rehabilitation should be ensured. Services of psychiatrists in medical colleges and district hospitals should be provided to those in streets with mental problems. Medicines should also be given", he said,

The goal is to declare the state free from extreme poverty by November 1, 2025. The decision is to make one and two-phase announcements in the years 2023 and 2024. How many families have been lifted out of poverty in each category will be announced separately.

Ministers KN Balagopal, K Rajan, K Radhakrishnan, Saji Cheriyan, PA Mohammed Riyas, V Sivankutty, MB Rajesh, Veena George, R Bindu, AK Saseendran and Antony Raju along with Planning Board Vice Chairman Dr VK Ramachandran and Chief Secretary Dr Venu V were present in the meeting.