The Hindu : Kerala News : Little to cheer about on many fronts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 18, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Little to cheer about on many fronts

By Roy Mathew

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 17. The Antony Government completes three years in office today even as the popularity of the United Democratic Front (UDF) is at its lowest ebb.

The Government is nowhere near delivering what it promised such as solving of the State's financial problems and spurring development to make it the leading State in the South.

At the same time, the debts of the State, claimed to have been taken for the development of the State, is crossing the Rs. 40,000-crore mark. Kerala still survives on overdrafts and borrowings. Though it may not have been easy to turn around, even milestones proposed in matters such as reduction of revenue deficit could not be achieved.

The ire of farmers played a major role in the rout of the UDF in the recent Lok Sabha polls apart from political and communal factors. This was evident from the votes cornered by independent candidate, A. C. Varkey, who contested as representative of farmers groups. The agriculture sector, including the plantation sector, was facing a bad time for the past several years. For the first time, many farmers committed suicide in the State over a short period. Yet, the State machinery was slow in acting. Though the Government had appointed a Commission to look into the ways to offset the ill-effects of the WTO agreement, little has been achieved so far though some of its recommendations had been implemented. The farmers own efforts to overcome the crisis did not receive support from the Government. Similarly, the traditional workers were also neglected by the Government.

At the same time, the Government showed much propensity to help Gulf Malayalis (unlike in the past when the Government cared more for agricultural and traditional workers). However, they were not in Kerala to vote for the Government. And the Chief Minister's tour to the drought-affected areas just before the elections did not cut much ice, as funds did not reach the needy.

The Government opened up the education sector stemming the flow of funds to neighbouring States as capitation and other fees. However, getting their children a decent education is becoming a heavy burden for an average family. Health care was also becoming costlier.

In the Information Technology sector, Mr. Antony had promised to take the State to the frontline. However, the Government's programmes such as FRIENDS and Akshaya were not basically designed to create wealth. A question mark still hangs whether the Akshaya units, which now work on Government subsidy, could actually become viable especially when the programme is extended to the rest of Kerala from Malappuram. Much would depend on whether the Government would associate them with computerisation of panchayats and other governmental institutions instead of going after big companies. Visionary approaches and quick action were lacking in this sphere.

The police was an area where the Government did not do badly, but hurt middle and lower-level leaders of the ruling parties. Mr. Antony had prevented them from influencing crime investigation and maintenance of law and order. He also managed to check political murders and clashes. Official corruption grew as politicians were prevented from interfering in police matters. But, the Government had been able to take some strong measures to check official corruption. However, it totally failed to stem corruption at the top echelons of power.

Reforms, though often well-intentioned, led to the alienation of Government employees and other affected people from the Government. The Government was also slow in implementing reforms though it often reiterated its commitment to reforms. As lending agencies such as the Asian Development Bank drove reforms, priorities sometimes got distorted. The reforms legislation for reduction of stamp duty is a case in point. It did away with a duty structure that made every citizen dishonest at the time of registration of land deeds and led to a lot of corruption.

At the same time, it was to benefit overseas investors who could not resort to undervaluation of property to save money. As this was being pushed forward along with fixing of fair value of land to prevent loss of revenue, the Government forgot about partition deeds that enjoyed a lower rate of duty. Such deeds were something that every family needed some time. Complaints about the fair values fixed led to suspension of its use for assessment before the elections.

Many laws proposed as part of reforms are yet to be enacted, as the Government could not schedule Assembly sessions for the purpose.

Now, talks are going on for a possible reshuffle of the Cabinet. However, the performance of the Government would improve only if able Ministers and officials, committed to people's welfare, are brought in.

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