Kumarappa Online Study Programme Follow up Workshop

 

  Workshop 
Kerala's Economic Crisis:Solutions from a Gandhian Perspective 

 July 20, 2025

10:00 am. - 4:00 pm.

 Gandhi Bhavan, Kacheri Padi, Ernakulam

The Gandhian Collective and the  Library and Research Centre for Gandhian Studies of Sevagram Ashram Pratishthan organized an online study programme based on J.C. Kumarappa's studies on Gandhian economic approaches. As a follow-up of the programme a one-day workshop will be held to discuss the various dimensions of Kerala's severe economic crisis and decide on future action plans.

Kerala is one of the States in India with a relatively better standard of living. But the State Government is struggling with a severe economic crisis. The government has been forced to significantly cut the annual plan expenditure. This is the first time that the Government has decided to postpone expenses and reduce expenditure by 25-30 percent in view of the economic crisis.

The main economic activity of the Government is to pay salaries to Government employees , to pay pensions and to pay interest on the accumulated debt. But even for that, there is not enough financial resources now. To state it differently, whatever resources available now is being diverted for these purposes. Taxes, fuel cess and other fees including registration charges are being increased frequently.The entire agricultural, health and industrial sectors are in chaos. Apart from the small pensions that are often distributed late to the poor and the needy, all welfare and development activities have come to a standstill.The time has come to assess the nature and causes of Kerala's economic stagnation with intellectual honesty.

The  living standards of Kerala are high by relying on resources produced in other States or countries. The fact of the matter is that the trade deficit with other States has exceeded one lakh crore which indicates  that the development of the State is  not a balanced one.

The Kerala government's decision to borrow money from outside the budget through KIIFB in the name of improving infrastructure has added to the economic crisis. The central government's embrace of corporate-friendly economic policies that forces the common man at the mercy of the corporates has further complicated the issue. The central government, which often denies the State the financial assistance it deserves, and the State Government which makes the lives of the common man miserable with mismanagement and embezzlement for its own people totally worsens the situation.

The Government's financial distress is only a symptom of the disease. Kerala is trying to maintain a system and welfare system that the  economy cannot afford.Kerala must urgently reduce the size of its administrative system based on reality and eliminate embezzlement.

The life-long pension of legislators and their political associates must be abolished.The redeployment of long-overdue officials must be implemented and their number should be reduced. Backdoor appointments and re-appointment of pensioners must be avoided.The number of welfare funds and boards should be reduced.

The number of members should be reduced by eliminating political interference in the systems including Public Service Commission. A government with social commitment can do many things in this direction.

Limited resources and unlimited needs are never compatible.Unnecessary constructions and projects should be avoided. Idle assets and corruption in construction activities should be stopped. Gram Sabhas should be empowered and the powers snatched from them should be returned. Kerala should be transformed from a consumer state into a producer state. Small, cottage and medium enterprises and start-ups should be encouraged. Support prices should be ensured for agricultural crops. Conducive atmosphere should  be created for farmers to engage in cultivation. The new generation needs to be prepared for this by incorporating changes in the employment sector. The crises facing Kerala cannot be solved through conventional short-term measures. This is where Gandhian economic approaches based on self-reliance and sustainability become very relevant. A strong-willed, people-oriented government can do many things.

The Gandhian Collective believes that by discussing all these issues, analyzing the real state of Kerala's finances, and making objective discussions and suggestions on the policy and structural changes that need to be addressed in the Kerala economy to adopt a sustainable economic approach calls for an objective discussion and constructive suggestions to overcome the crisis.The workshop organized on July 20th at Gandhi Bhavan, Kacheripadi, Ernakulam is a humble attempt to achieve this objective. Your organization's active participation is requested.

The workshop will be led by  leading economists  of Kerala viz.Prof. K. Aravindakshan, Dr. Jose Sebastian, and Dr. S. Muraleedharan. Other economic experts will also participate in the discussion.

Agenda

9.30: Registration

10.00 - 1.00-Workshop:

Welcome address: Adv. V.M. Michael

Chairperson: Shri. Geo Jose

Inauguration: Prof. K. Aravindakshan

( Former Principal, Maharaja's College, Ernakulam.)

Topic Presentation 1. Economic Future of Kerala 

Dr. Jose Sebastian (Senior Economist, Kerala) 

Topic Presentation 2. Kerala Economy - Crises & Solutions  from a Gandhian Perspective. Dr. S. Muraleedharan (Research Supervisor in Economics ,MG University, Kottayam, Kerala).

Followed by General Discussion

Vote of Thanks:Dr. Babu Joseph.

1.00 - 2.00 Lunch

2.00 - 4.00

Kerala Development Plan - Discussion, Suggestions

Kumarappa Study Follow up Programme :

Local Self-Government Institutions - Possibilities of Intervention.

Visit to Elappully Panchayat etc:

Dr. Babu Joseph

Convenor

Gandhian Collective, Kerala.

For pre-registration and inquiries

Mob:9567 377 377