‘Kerala model needs to evolve’

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala model of development is facing major challenges in the form of purposeful attempts to debilitate the people connect it was able to establish in its initial phase, said former planning board member and professor at Centre for Development Studies (CDS) KN Harilal.
“Kerala model of development is now facing serious challenges in neoliberal, sociopolitical and economic system. Kerala model created an alternative avenue for development with the unified efforts of its people. Unfortunately, there is a deliberate attempt to sabotage this unity, which is dangerous to the development of the state beyond the Kerala model,” he said.
Harilal was delivering a lecture on Kerala Economy in Transition, which was jointly organised by Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT) and Kerala Economic Association. The concern about the growing mafia economy in Kerala is also a serious threat to the advancement of its economy. Kerala should take serious efforts to release the economy from the clutches of the underground mafia, he said.
Harilal said civil service should further achieve a qualitative improvement to effectively tackle the emerging challenges. “There should be further improvement in the civil service in tune with the changes in the global economy. Absence of leadership and knowledge in various government departments is also a serious challenge to the transition of Kerala,” he added.
“Democracy is facing serious threats from capitalism across the world. Hence, we need a development viewpoint beyond the capitalist system of development which is not an all-inclusive model,” he added.
KK Jisha, assistant professor at Government Victoria College was the moderator of the session and Santhosh T George, assistant professor from Maharaja’s College was the discussant. GIFT director KJ Joseph gave the welcome speech.