When LDF government took charge, the “God’s Own Country” was a super brand in the global tourism segment. Today, the much-touted tourism industry of the state reels under the fallout of man-made disasters and unnecessary global outreach for financial support has plunged the industry into the doldrums. The site ranks 17 in the country in terms of domestic tourist arrivals and eight in foreign tourist arrivals. Today, the states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh has reaped the benefits of better infrastructure and easing of visa norms to surge ahead.
The inflow of pilgrims to Kerala during the Sabarimala season has been severely impacted due to the adamant anti-temple policy of the present government. The impact of the high handed tackling of the declaratory order by the Supreme Court, the state government headed by the Communist government has sent out wrong signals to the regular pilgrims. Not just the direct revenue of the temple has dipped, the entire economic eco-systems that thrived during the season performed badly. The transport sector, retailers and even other temples like Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram saw a drastic drop in their revenues. A classic case study for how to mess up the economy by tampering with the belief systems in a manner which reminds one and all about the existence of fascist elements in a democracy.
The blunder of opening the dams to create deluge may not have been done to wreak havoc in the state, but it certainly demonstrated the lack of administrative common sense. The Malayalee took it in his stride and Seva Bharati rose to the occasion and selflessly engaged themselves in the rescue and relief operations. The Government machinery was found lacking and the cadres of the ruling party are even accused of using this opportunity to show that they are practising what they are taught in the outdated books by marauding the relief materials meant for the flood affected. Even that was not taken seriously by the ever tolerant Keralite and they just shrugged and walked. Many economists see disasters as opportune moments for developments. Gujarat is a classic example under the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi. But the Vijayan government squandered this too. Rather than pulling up the socks and getting down to business, the members of his government were busy packing bags for a foreign trip with a begging bowl. The begging bowl was just a lame reason. The Central government intervened and denied visas to the tourists.
The Finance Minister of Kerala has been a disaster in spite of his exposure to economics and experience. Maybe he is not being allowed to work the way he wants – we never know. However, the sad fact that the Government who ran its electoral campaign with eminent film personalities against the liquor sales has openly thanked the consumers of alcohol in the State for helping him get revenue from its sale. Praising the Bar Sales for helping out in mopping up taxes is a pathetic way for a state like Kerala to fund resources. No one is bothered about the cost to the exchequer on account of health issues of its citizens.
Isaac has not been able to earmark enough funds for Urban Development, Irrigation, Housing, Roads, Bridges, etc. The traditional sectors of excellence continue to be health and education but that is just not enough to improve the quality of life of the last man in the queue. The prices of essential goods and foodstuff are skyrocketing and Kerala has become the costliest state to live. There have not been any initiatives from the Government to intervene and all it does is to try and deflect the media attention towards oil prices which presently on a downslide. The lame excuses like the products procured from other states are not under the state’s control looks laughable. But, we as Keralites are comfortably numb.
I am fairly sure that the FM will be giving all sorts of excuses for non-performance as per his 2018 budget and would try to take cover under the man-made deluge. As usual, he will be talking about the Demonetisation, GST and not getting doles from the Central Government as the reasons for his failure. The KIIFB card will be dangled which was a non-starter and also he will dish out Masala Bonds for the hungry Malayalee. The NRI population chose to invest in Banks rather than Pravasi Chitty, etc for Infrastructure Spending by the Government of Kerala. The nepotism and the arrogant ways of running the Government will never be able to do any economic or any other good to the People of Kerala. Get ready for a document full of falsehood and lies from the Finance Minister of Kerala on the last day of the First Month of 2019!
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