KERALA IS TRENDING TOWARDS AN ECONOMIC FALL

Kerala is standing erect primarily due to the NRI remittance of Rs 1.5/2.2 lakhs crores per annum. This generally get a well balanced distribution among almost the entire population. In fact this source of income keeps the people fed. This makes the long queue in front of the beverage outlets. And this money makes our roads filled with two, three and four wheelers. Because of this income, people do not create any problems for our government and political parties. Now the trend is set to deteriorate this inflow, may be a bit fast. Once the people's pockets become empty their mood may not be what we are seeing now. Alongwith this shutters of many business houses also shall be brought down. Unemployment may rise terribly.

In such a situation, people may abuse the political system that forcefully closed hundreds of business houses across the state during the past decades. It may be recollected that during the regime of one of our earlier governments, a reputed international car manufacturer came to Kerala and identified themselves some land and submitted a proposal to start a car manufacturing unit. The then CM reported to have  flatly refused the proposal and subsequently they have established a unit in another state. During the same period a South Korean team consisting of 21 industrialists have visited the state, it was reported. Their plan was to set up Japanese model industries here, without going for large area of land but using part of houses of employees for various functions. After travelling through the whole state they visited secretariat building and sought an appointment for discussion with the CM. They were reported to have refused the appointment and asked to come after a month. They never returned to Kerala. When we will be repenting for our act it would be too late.

The days are not far when the long queue in front of beverages outlets shall be terribly shortened. Many bars shall pull their shutters down. The number of jewelleries in the state will come down sharply. Many beauty related shops will be closed down. The number of vehicles on the road will come down considerably. Alongwith all these crime rate may shoot up. All these may happen because Rs 1.5/2.2 lakhs crores is not a small amount to disappear from the market without creating any impact. Let us now wait and see how things may develop and how we may face this unfamiliar situation.

The new trend of our people employed abroad, especially in Canada, UK and Australia, to settle down there is fast increasing. Many are taking their parents from Kerala to those countries after disposing of their properties. In the recent past, about 80% of people gone abroad for higher studies have not returned after completing their course. Once they are settled in those countries with their parents, they need not remit money over here. The consequences may be beyond our expectations.

K V George