A State's good governance depends on its ability to limit unnecessary spending by its people. Debt traps are the result of unthinking spending sprees. In Kerala, increasing consumerism is set to impact the common man's well-being.
The State's ministers, cine artists and writers are queuing up to campaign for the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival. Forty kg of gold and many other gifts are on offer. The newspapers and TV channels are thrilled about the advertisements. The feeling of consumerism created by festival sponsors persuades people to replace the TV in good working condition with a flat LCD. Women are in a hurry to replace their old-fashioned ornaments with new ones. Poor people get more discontented watching the spending of the elite class. The prices of consumer products have increased. The State Government appears to be promoting excessive spending rather than curbing it!
K. A. Solaman
The Hindu Business Line 22 Dec 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
No bifurcation, please
The Central Government should not succumb to political pressure to divide the State of Andhra Pradesh. Dividing the the State would involve huge expenditure for the exchequer. The lack of development cannot be considered a valid reason for dividing a State. Equitable development across a State can be achieved only if the leadership concerned is committed to growth.
If the Centre yields to pressure groups, even in small States such as Kerala there will be more calls for division — the erstwhile Travancore and Malabar, for example, claim different cultures. Already, there is a big divide among different States on various matters. The Mullaperiyar dam issue is a case in point.
If Tamil Nadu and Kerala were a single State such a quarrel would not have surfaced.
Leaders at the Centre should have the vision to understand the ulterior motives of local politicians.
K. A. Solaman
The Business Line dated 16 Dec 2009
If the Centre yields to pressure groups, even in small States such as Kerala there will be more calls for division — the erstwhile Travancore and Malabar, for example, claim different cultures. Already, there is a big divide among different States on various matters. The Mullaperiyar dam issue is a case in point.
If Tamil Nadu and Kerala were a single State such a quarrel would not have surfaced.
Leaders at the Centre should have the vision to understand the ulterior motives of local politicians.
K. A. Solaman
The Business Line dated 16 Dec 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
New retirees likely to lose pension.
I am not a person to criticize all the acts of State Government of Kerala. However regarding the retirement age unification and pension payment I keep strong apprehension about the act of the Government. The Government on unification of the retirement age last year said about the postings in supernumerary vacancies. But nothing happened and many prospective candidates have fled to other states in search of a job and some of them attempted suicide because of utter despair. No one was posted fresh in Kerala last year, nevertheless the pension money thus held back by the government was spent for other purposes. And most probably the new pensioners likely lose pension when they retire on next March 31. The government finds no way to collect a sum Rs 3500 crore to pay back the pension benefits of employees. The diverse scheme with Kerala lottery will bring only a few crores and is quite inadequate to meet the requirement. The plan to invite more FDs to State Treasuries too will not work as the pensioners know well that future is bleak for Kerala Treasuries as it is going to meet a series of ban. The employees, on the other hand, live in fools’ paradise under the assumption that the Finance minister will do the whole lot for the raise of retirement age.
I wonder why the employees about to retire are not sending their pension papers to the AG. They should understand that if they do not send their papers they will not get their pension in a year.
Regarding unification of retirement age and holding back pension benefits of State Employees of Kerala the Government has done a bad work. The Government curtailed the aspirations of unemployed youths and denied financial benefits of retiring employees. The running of a State with pensioners’ money is a bad practice and it would bring unprecedented crisis to coming governments.
K A Solaman
I wonder why the employees about to retire are not sending their pension papers to the AG. They should understand that if they do not send their papers they will not get their pension in a year.
Regarding unification of retirement age and holding back pension benefits of State Employees of Kerala the Government has done a bad work. The Government curtailed the aspirations of unemployed youths and denied financial benefits of retiring employees. The running of a State with pensioners’ money is a bad practice and it would bring unprecedented crisis to coming governments.
K A Solaman
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
For me this Christmas
For me this Christmas like the previous ones is very significant. Though it is an occasion for many to spend cheerfully the time with family and friends, most imperative of all is celebrating the birth of Christ and for me predominantly it is an occasion of noble memoirs. It is in this occasion my mother brought me new clothes with her hard earned money when I was a kid. It is the occasion when my mother primed the tastiest food in a year. It is the occasion for me to not recall those ghastly feelings I might have about someone. I love Christmas not just for getting presents as I received none except from my mother when I was a child.
I teach my children about the factual gist of Christmas. It is very cheerful for me to see my kids decorating the inside of the house and putting up a Christmas tree. Christmas is not a celebration of free enterprise as many think. It is not an occasion to spend all the money for Grand Kerala Shopping Festival. It is a fiesta of elation for all counting those who live in cattle sheds. It is not the time to play that my good behavior for the day will carry over to the rest of the year. Christmas is the juncture for tranquility and love. It is the day of tribute to the great teacher who enlightened me with greatest motto: “Forgive and be kind”
Christmas is a time to thank the lord for everything he has done, to keep me on my feet.
Christmas is the occurrence that brings out the very best in me. I am kinder, believe so, more obliging, more caring, and more uncomplaining. I believe Christmas is the way to keep my mind sparking with love, delight, calm, and hope.
K A Solaman
I teach my children about the factual gist of Christmas. It is very cheerful for me to see my kids decorating the inside of the house and putting up a Christmas tree. Christmas is not a celebration of free enterprise as many think. It is not an occasion to spend all the money for Grand Kerala Shopping Festival. It is a fiesta of elation for all counting those who live in cattle sheds. It is not the time to play that my good behavior for the day will carry over to the rest of the year. Christmas is the juncture for tranquility and love. It is the day of tribute to the great teacher who enlightened me with greatest motto: “Forgive and be kind”
Christmas is a time to thank the lord for everything he has done, to keep me on my feet.
Christmas is the occurrence that brings out the very best in me. I am kinder, believe so, more obliging, more caring, and more uncomplaining. I believe Christmas is the way to keep my mind sparking with love, delight, calm, and hope.
K A Solaman
Monday, December 07, 2009
Government should give up the move to raise the retirement age of college teachers
It has been reported that State committee of the Left Democratic Front is likely to raise the retirement age of teachers in arts and science, medical and engineering colleges in Kerala. The decision, if taken, would bring serious repercussion in the society. The losing around Rs.500 crore in assistance from the University Grants Commission seems more serious for the LDF than killing the hope of unemployed educated youths in the state waiting for job.
The State government’s plan is to raise the retirement age to 60 years as against the 65 years stipulated by the UGC. However, the LDF government does not wish to hook the retirement age beyond 60 years in view of the political implications. What are those political implications? The same political proposition exists when age is raised to 60 from 55. Those people who once fixed retirement age at 55 were not fools. They did know the unemployment situation in the state and seemingly it augmented now. It is unwise for the government to take consolation from the fact that Maharashtra and a few other State governments, which have already implemented the UGC scheme, have chosen to peg the retirement age of their college teachers at 60 years. The situation in Maharashtra is entirely different from Kerala. It is from Kerala people go to Maharashrtra for a job and not from there to Kerala.
It is mainly Finance Minister Isaac’s move to please his friends now in colleges.
The teachers at present in Government and aided colleges in Kerala are, I say, of low profile and they were recruited in 1980-83 period when shift system was introduced in colleges. Most of them with left political orientation for knowing themselves as ‘intellectuals’ corner the minister Thomas Isaac and in that respect Education Minister M A Baby comes only next to him. The move to enhance retirement age hike thus gathered momentum.
The Economic survey conducted in last March revealed that the unemployment rate in the state is high and a few millions of people of the State have been working outside it for many years. Had they remained in Kerala, the unemployment rate would have been much higher than what was quoted in the survey. It is not the education system that make people frustrated but the inefficiency of the rulers of the state. The educated youths with Ph D and other degrees are disturbed and that dissatisfaction will be augmented by the thoughtless decision of Kerala ministers.
It is a fact in Kerala no industrialist wants to set up any industry due to labour problems. The State is bankrupt, besides being corrupt and largely politicized. The main source of income for the state is the infamous public begging –the Kerala lottery and by coluorful ads in dailies and channels the Government invites educated youths to join the lottery market. They have no job to offer for teaching in colleges or elsewhere. It is reserved for the handful of luckiest paltry chaps with PG second class. The Left trade unionism among college teachers brought them luck but misery to educated youths.
The ministers of Kerala have a thought that though they are 60 plus or eighty, still are able to walk, jump and exercise. So why can’t the existing college teachers do the same? Dear ministers, ask the college teachers to retire and try a hand in politics to serve the society further. There are many with service in aided colleges doing work at college and also doing societal both yielding no result.
The monthly salary that may be given to a college teacher for the extended period of time can be used for giving monthly pension of the pensioner and also the salary of two new recruits. The new one, being better educated and skilled, could make better results in colleges than those old folks who never want to retire. Time has reached for youths to demand their chunk of job. The Youth Congress, The AISF, Youth Front etc are seen coming against the proposed draconian decision of the LDF and it is good for them. Instead of migrating to other States for jobs, the youth should use their might to make the government understanding their need. Retirement age hike does not save any one but saves two families if a person is given an employment. Why the “poor man’s government” is not thinking in that direction?
It is a pity for the government to allow research degree holders to take the job of lottery ticket seller or Electronics and Communication engineering post graduate to accept the job of a last grade to earn a living. While thousands of students in colleges and universities suffer because of the shortage and inefficiency of the existing teaching staff it is very callous on the part of the government to not appoint any fresh candidate from existing nine PSC lists and other four that are short listed.
So the government should give up the move to raise the retirement age of college teachers including those in medical colleges.
K A Solaman
The State government’s plan is to raise the retirement age to 60 years as against the 65 years stipulated by the UGC. However, the LDF government does not wish to hook the retirement age beyond 60 years in view of the political implications. What are those political implications? The same political proposition exists when age is raised to 60 from 55. Those people who once fixed retirement age at 55 were not fools. They did know the unemployment situation in the state and seemingly it augmented now. It is unwise for the government to take consolation from the fact that Maharashtra and a few other State governments, which have already implemented the UGC scheme, have chosen to peg the retirement age of their college teachers at 60 years. The situation in Maharashtra is entirely different from Kerala. It is from Kerala people go to Maharashrtra for a job and not from there to Kerala.
It is mainly Finance Minister Isaac’s move to please his friends now in colleges.
The teachers at present in Government and aided colleges in Kerala are, I say, of low profile and they were recruited in 1980-83 period when shift system was introduced in colleges. Most of them with left political orientation for knowing themselves as ‘intellectuals’ corner the minister Thomas Isaac and in that respect Education Minister M A Baby comes only next to him. The move to enhance retirement age hike thus gathered momentum.
The Economic survey conducted in last March revealed that the unemployment rate in the state is high and a few millions of people of the State have been working outside it for many years. Had they remained in Kerala, the unemployment rate would have been much higher than what was quoted in the survey. It is not the education system that make people frustrated but the inefficiency of the rulers of the state. The educated youths with Ph D and other degrees are disturbed and that dissatisfaction will be augmented by the thoughtless decision of Kerala ministers.
It is a fact in Kerala no industrialist wants to set up any industry due to labour problems. The State is bankrupt, besides being corrupt and largely politicized. The main source of income for the state is the infamous public begging –the Kerala lottery and by coluorful ads in dailies and channels the Government invites educated youths to join the lottery market. They have no job to offer for teaching in colleges or elsewhere. It is reserved for the handful of luckiest paltry chaps with PG second class. The Left trade unionism among college teachers brought them luck but misery to educated youths.
The ministers of Kerala have a thought that though they are 60 plus or eighty, still are able to walk, jump and exercise. So why can’t the existing college teachers do the same? Dear ministers, ask the college teachers to retire and try a hand in politics to serve the society further. There are many with service in aided colleges doing work at college and also doing societal both yielding no result.
The monthly salary that may be given to a college teacher for the extended period of time can be used for giving monthly pension of the pensioner and also the salary of two new recruits. The new one, being better educated and skilled, could make better results in colleges than those old folks who never want to retire. Time has reached for youths to demand their chunk of job. The Youth Congress, The AISF, Youth Front etc are seen coming against the proposed draconian decision of the LDF and it is good for them. Instead of migrating to other States for jobs, the youth should use their might to make the government understanding their need. Retirement age hike does not save any one but saves two families if a person is given an employment. Why the “poor man’s government” is not thinking in that direction?
It is a pity for the government to allow research degree holders to take the job of lottery ticket seller or Electronics and Communication engineering post graduate to accept the job of a last grade to earn a living. While thousands of students in colleges and universities suffer because of the shortage and inefficiency of the existing teaching staff it is very callous on the part of the government to not appoint any fresh candidate from existing nine PSC lists and other four that are short listed.
So the government should give up the move to raise the retirement age of college teachers including those in medical colleges.
K A Solaman
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Onion price shocks Keralites
The price of onion is as high as Rs 45 in Kerala and in all probability it shocked the entire populace of Kerala. The panic is in such a high level that entire people are supposed to eat onion all the time and they could not keep going without onion. (Onion is pronounced as ‘aniyan’ and I keep in mind an instance of one of my collegues having quarrel with his son’s UKG teacher for she having taught the kid with a wrong intonation ‘onian’).
The interesting fact is that though there is no shortage of onion in the wholesale depots still prices keep on rising by day. So as an alternative solution, what I have to suggest is: abandon onion for the time being. And this suggestion may be ridiculous for someone but not as ridiculous as one given by Kerala Food minister C Divakaran asking people to go to hotels for better food.
I know onion is a taste maker for food and possess some medicinal value. But what are other food items without values. Drunkards eat onion profusely under the presumption that it would save them from all drug hazards. If drunkards along with ordinary citizens so decide to abandon or reduce the use of onion then price of this commodity come down soon. Tons of onions now stocked in storages soon decay and the greed of hoarders will come to a tragic end.
K A Solaman
The interesting fact is that though there is no shortage of onion in the wholesale depots still prices keep on rising by day. So as an alternative solution, what I have to suggest is: abandon onion for the time being. And this suggestion may be ridiculous for someone but not as ridiculous as one given by Kerala Food minister C Divakaran asking people to go to hotels for better food.
I know onion is a taste maker for food and possess some medicinal value. But what are other food items without values. Drunkards eat onion profusely under the presumption that it would save them from all drug hazards. If drunkards along with ordinary citizens so decide to abandon or reduce the use of onion then price of this commodity come down soon. Tons of onions now stocked in storages soon decay and the greed of hoarders will come to a tragic end.
K A Solaman
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