Kerala government under Chief Minister Oommen Chandy announced 35 kg of rice per month at One Rupee per kg for all families Below Poverty Line. In an earlier post , I have said that this is a flawed economic policy. We do not need rice to be distributed like this. Such policies will only kill farming in Kerala. This blog by Dr. Suman Sahai  gives many reasons. It looks like men in Kerala need not work for anything, beg for 35 Rupees, stand in a queue every month to get the allotted rice. Why are we breeding a country full of men who are good for nothing? Every person who understands the toil that requires to cultivate a kg of rice would be sad. I am.

Inefficiency of Kerala government is exposed again throu gh a central government list of supply status of high-tech buses under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Kerala was sanctioned for 350 buses (200 in Kochi and 150 in Thiruvananthapuram). As of the end of July, 2011 we have procured only 243 buses (128 in Kochi and 115 in Thiruvananthapuram). Compare these figures with our nearby states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa and Andhra. They all have procured almost all buses that was sanctioned. The list can be found here .

Treasure found at Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple has brought with it many challenges for us in Kerala. Recently, my relative suggested that why don't we encash this and distribute riches among all people. She would like to get a rightful share of the treasure as it belongs to all of us and what will any way God (Sree Padmanabhan) do with it. It is a separate question that why she gives some money to church every Sunday? Other serious challenges are discussed in this article by Reuters . After reading various suggestions and options in front of us, I believe we will have to opt one of these two or a combination of these. Keep the treasure where it was found. Provide security and let everything continue as it used to be. - This seems simple but it is not easy. Security provided will prove to be a nuisance for devotees and people living nearby. They will not be allowed to do everything they have been doing all these years. People like me would want to pay a visit to the richest

The Economic Review of Kerala indicates mounting burden of debt on the state. Key figures from that are, total debt of the State increased from Rs. 20,176.10 crore in 1999-2000 to Rs. 70,969 crore in 2009-10, debt/GSDP ratio is 30.81 per cent during 2009-10 and an increase in per capita debt from Rs.11,478 in 2004 to Rs.16,074 in 2008. The below table (Source: The Hindu) indicates yearly figures.  News reports can be read from Economic Times and The Hindu . Kerala is unique in many ways and so is the debt scenario. Successive governments keep adding to the existing burden and the 'hill' has become a 'mountain' now. It is now a 'serious concern', as quoted in the Economic Review. The only factor that we can showcase against this debt is our overall Human Development, be it healthcare and access to various natural resources and livelihood.

I recently had to endure Walayar - Vadakkancherry road. This two lane road is in a pathetic shape. I had been traveling on this road in regular intervals for more than 10 years now. It never was in a shape like it is now. It is a road now perfect for dirt races and rallies. A project to four lane this stretch of road is now approved . Let this happen at godspeed as this is one critical road that connects Kerala to other parts of the country. The road is crucial for the overall trade and economy of Kerala. It is also a transit route for majority of Keralites living in other southern states.